noun
ginseng
JIHN-sehng
Ginseng (noun) means a plant with a forked, root that is dried and used in traditional medicine and supplements, believed to boost energy. Example: “She drinks ginseng tea every morning for an energy boost.”
noun
1
A plant with a forked, root that is dried and used in traditional medicine and supplements, believed to boost energy.
"She drinks ginseng tea every morning for an energy boost."
"The supplement contains an extract of Korean ginseng."
How to use ginseng
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medicinal root, popular in East Asian traditional medicine and modern supplements, said to increase energy and vitality.
Common pairings
ginseng root
ginseng tea
Korean ginseng
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ginseng.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- ginsengs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She drinks _____ tea every morning for an energy boost.
Etymology
Borrowed from a Chinese term (via Hokkien) meaning roughly "man root", describing the root's human-like forked shape.
Synonyms
View more →
nin-sin
Frequently asked questions
What does “ginseng” mean?
The word “ginseng” means a plant with a forked, root that is dried and used in traditional medicine and supplements, believed to boost energy. In plain terms, a medicinal root, popular in East Asian traditional medicine and modern supplements, said to increase energy and vitality.
How do you pronounce “ginseng”?
“Ginseng” is pronounced JIHN-sehng (/ˈd͡ʒɪnsɛŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ginseng” in a sentence?
Here is “ginseng” used in a sentence: “She drinks ginseng tea every morning for an energy boost.”
What part of speech is “ginseng”?
“Ginseng” is a noun.
Where does the word “ginseng” come from?
The word “ginseng” comes from Chinese. Borrowed from a Chinese term (via Hokkien) meaning roughly "man root", describing the root's human-like forked shape.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include ginseng:
