A1 noun Neutral #4,937 most common

coffee

/ˈkɒfi/

Coffee is a popular dark-colored drink made from roasted and ground seeds called beans. It is usually served hot or cold and contains caffeine, which helps people feel more awake and energetic.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I drink a cup of coffee every morning to help me wake up.

I drink a cup of coffee every morning to help me wake up.

2

Would you care for some coffee while you wait for the director?

Would you care for some coffee while you wait for the director?

3

Wanna grab a coffee later this afternoon?

Wanna grab a coffee later this afternoon?

Word Family

Noun
coffee
Adjective
caffeinated
Related
coffeemaker
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Memory Tip

Think of the word COFFEE having two 'f's and two 'e's—just like two eyes opening wide after you drink it!

Quick Quiz

I usually drink my ______ with milk but no sugar.

Correct!

The correct answer is: coffee

Examples

1

I drink a cup of coffee every morning to help me wake up.

everyday

I drink a cup of coffee every morning to help me wake up.

2

Would you care for some coffee while you wait for the director?

formal

Would you care for some coffee while you wait for the director?

3

Wanna grab a coffee later this afternoon?

informal

Wanna grab a coffee later this afternoon?

4

The study explores the effects of coffee consumption on memory retention.

academic

The study explores the effects of coffee consumption on memory retention.

5

We can finalize the contract details over coffee during the break.

business

We can finalize the contract details over coffee during the break.

Word Family

Noun
coffee
Adjective
caffeinated
Related
coffeemaker

Common Collocations

black coffee black coffee
strong coffee strong coffee
instant coffee instant coffee
coffee break coffee break
cup of coffee cup of coffee

Common Phrases

wake up and smell the coffee

wake up and smell the coffee

coffee to go

coffee to go

coffee table

coffee table

Often Confused With

coffee vs cafe

A cafe is the physical building or shop where you go, while coffee is the liquid drink itself.

coffee vs cough

A cough is a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs; they sound somewhat similar but have different spellings and meanings.

📝

Usage Notes

Coffee is generally an uncountable noun (e.g., 'I want some coffee'), but it becomes countable when ordering a specific serving (e.g., 'Two coffees, please').

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'cafe' when they mean the drink. Remember that coffee is what you drink, and a cafe is where you sit.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word COFFEE having two 'f's and two 'e's—just like two eyes opening wide after you drink it!

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Dutch 'koffie', which came from the Ottoman Turkish 'kahve', originally from the Arabic 'qahwah'.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable (e.g., some coffee) Countable in service contexts (e.g., three coffees) Compound noun use (e.g., coffee bean, coffee shop)
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, the 'coffee break' is a standard social ritual in the workplace to rest and chat with colleagues.

Quick Quiz

I usually drink my ______ with milk but no sugar.

Correct!

The correct answer is: coffee

More Food words

egg

A1

An oval object laid by a female bird, especially a chicken, used as food. It consists of a hard outer shell, a clear white, and a yellow center called the yolk.

meat

A1

Meat is the flesh of animals, such as cows, pigs, or chickens, that is used as food. It is a common source of protein and is usually cooked before being eaten.

fish

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A fish is an animal that lives in water, has scales and fins, and breathes through gills. As a food item, it refers to the flesh of these animals eaten by humans.

chicken

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A chicken is a type of domestic bird kept on farms for its eggs and meat. In a culinary context, it refers to the flesh of this bird used as food.

banana

A1

A banana is a long, curved fruit with a thick yellow skin and soft, sweet flesh inside. It is a popular tropical fruit that is easy to peel and eat raw as a snack.

grape

A1

A grape is a small, round or oval fruit that grows in clusters on a vine. It is typically green, purple, or red and can be eaten fresh or used to make juice, wine, and raisins.

strawberry

A1

A strawberry is a small, juicy, red fruit that is heart-shaped and has tiny seeds on its outer skin. It grows on low-lying plants and is widely enjoyed for its sweet, slightly tart flavor in desserts and snacks.

grill

A1

A grill is a metal frame or piece of cooking equipment used to cook food over a fire or high heat. It is commonly used outdoors for cooking meat, fish, and vegetables.

roast

A1

A large piece of meat that is cooked in an oven. It also refers to a traditional meal where this meat is served with vegetables.

plate

A1

A flat, usually round dish that you use to hold and eat food. It can be made of ceramic, glass, plastic, or metal and is a basic piece of tableware.

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