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noun Common

cannabis

KA-nuh-bihs

Cannabis (noun) means the hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug. Example: “Several states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.”

noun
1
The hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug.
"Several states have legalized cannabis for recreational use."
"Cannabis is prescribed in some countries to relieve chronic pain."

How to Use Cannabis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe hemp plant and the drug made from it, also called marijuana.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
medical cannabis cannabis use legalize cannabis

Word Forms

cannabises plural

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Test yourself on “cannabis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Several states have legalized _____ for recreational use.

Etymology

A learned borrowing from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek kánnabis, "hemp." A doublet of "canvas."

Origin: Ancient Greek

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.

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