cannabis
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cannabis, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use cannabis
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek kánnabis, "hemp." A doublet of "canvas."
Full origin of cannabis →Frequently asked questions
What does “cannabis” mean?
The word “cannabis” means the hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug. In plain terms, the hemp plant and the drug made from it, also called marijuana.
How do you pronounce “cannabis”?
“Cannabis” is pronounced KA-nuh-bihs (/ˈkæ.nə.bɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “cannabis” in a sentence?
Here is “cannabis” used in a sentence: “Several states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.”
What part of speech is “cannabis”?
“Cannabis” is a noun.
Where does the word “cannabis” come from?
The word “cannabis” comes from Ancient Greek. A learned borrowing from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek kánnabis, "hemp." A doublet of "canvas.".
Is “cannabis” a common word?
“Cannabis” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between cannabis and hemp?
Both words can refer to the same plant, but they emphasize different uses. "Hemp" usually describes varieties grown for fiber, seeds, and industrial products, which contain very little of the plant's intoxicating compound, while "cannabis" is the usual term when the dried leaves and flowers are used as a drug. Many legal systems define and regulate the two separately.
What is the difference between cannabis and marijuana?
"Cannabis" is the botanical and formal name, used in scientific, medical, and legal contexts, and it covers the plant as a whole. "Marijuana" is a common everyday name specifically for the dried leaves and flowers used as a drug. Official documents increasingly prefer "cannabis" as the neutral umbrella term.
Is "cannabis" a countable or uncountable noun?
"Cannabis" is an uncountable (mass) noun, so it takes a singular verb and is not normally used with "a" or in the plural: you say "cannabis is," not "cannabises are." To express quantity, use a measure phrase such as "an amount of cannabis."
Is "cannabis" a formal or informal word?
"Cannabis" is the formal choice: it is the word used in legislation, medicine, and news reporting. Informal conversation tends to use slang names instead. In official, academic, or professional writing, "cannabis" is the appropriate term.