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Herb Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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herb

[hɜːb ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in cooking

A plant or a part of a plant that is used as medicine or to give flavor to food.

Synonyms

plant, spice, vegetable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
herb

Used for plants that are valued for their flavor, aroma, or medicinal properties, usually in cooking or natural remedies.

  • Fresh basil is a popular herb in Italian recipes
  • Mint is often used as an herb in teas
plant

A general term for any living organism in the kingdom Plantae, commonly used when talking about gardening or botany.

  • Roses are a beautiful plant for your garden
  • It takes time and care to look after a plant properly
vegetable

Refers to edible plants or parts of plants, typically used in cooking and eaten as part of a savory meal.

  • Carrots are a nutritious vegetable enjoyed raw or cooked
  • Broccoli is another vegetable that is high in vitamins
spice

Usually refers to substances derived from seeds, fruits, roots, bark, or other parts of plants used to flavor food.

  • Cinnamon is a spice that adds warmth to desserts
  • Turmeric is a common spice used in Indian cuisine

Examples of usage

  • I added some fresh herbs to the soup for extra flavor.
  • Rosemary is a popular herb used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Context #2 | Noun

botany

A seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season.

Synonyms

flora, plant, vegetation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
herb

This is a duplicate and should be combined with the first entry for 'herb'.

  • N/A
plant

Use 'plant' when referring to any living organism in the kingdom Plantae, particularly when specifying individual organisms.

  • She watered the plants in her garden every day
  • The new office plant brings some green into the room
vegetation

Use 'vegetation' when talking about plant life as a whole, especially in larger, natural areas.

  • The lush vegetation covered the hillside
  • Removing native vegetation can lead to soil erosion
flora

Use 'flora' when describing the plant life in a particular region or environment.

  • The flora of the Amazon rainforest is incredibly diverse
  • Local flora includes both native and non-native plants

Examples of usage

  • Basil and parsley are examples of herbs.
  • Cilantro is an herb commonly used in Mexican cuisine.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'herb'

The word 'herb' originated from the Old French 'erbe', which came from the Latin 'herba' meaning 'grass' or 'herb'. In Middle English, it was used to refer to any plant used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume. Over time, the term became more specific to non-woody plants used in cooking or for medicinal purposes.

See also: herbaceous, herbal, herbarium, herbicide, herbivore.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,011, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.