herb
hurb
Herb (noun) means a plant used to flavour food, especially the leaves. Example: “She sprinkled fresh herbs like basil and thyme over the pasta.”
noun
1
A plant used to flavour food, especially the leaves.
"She sprinkled fresh herbs like basil and thyme over the pasta."
"The garden had a small patch reserved for growing herbs."
"Rosemary is a hardy herb that grows well on a sunny windowsill."
2
A plant used in traditional or alternative medicine.
"He drank a tea made from herbs said to ease headaches."
"Her grandmother kept a shelf of dried herbs for treating coughs and colds."
"Some people use herbs such as camomile to help them sleep."
How to use herb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plant, especially one used to add flavour to cooking or used in traditional medicine.
UK vs US
British speakers usually pronounce the "h" in herb; American speakers typically drop it, saying it more like "erb."
Common pairings
fresh herbs
dried herbs
herbs and spices
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Word forms
- Plural
- herbs
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She sprinkled fresh _____ like basil and thyme over the pasta.
Etymology
From Old French herbe, from Latin herba ("grass, plant"). The silent "h" in British pronunciation reflects the word's French roots; American English restored the sound of the "h."
Synonyms
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seasoning plant
potherb
Related words
Rhymes for herb
See all rhymes for herb →Frequently asked questions
What does “herb” mean?
The word “herb” means a plant used to flavour food, especially the leaves. In plain terms, a plant, especially one used to add flavour to cooking or used in traditional medicine.
How do you pronounce “herb”?
“Herb” is pronounced hurb (/(h)ɝb/ in IPA).
How do you use “herb” in a sentence?
Here is “herb” used in a sentence: “She sprinkled fresh herbs like basil and thyme over the pasta.”
What part of speech is “herb”?
“Herb” is a noun.
Where does the word “herb” come from?
The word “herb” comes from Latin. From Old French herbe, from Latin herba ("grass, plant"). The silent "h" in British pronunciation reflects the word's French roots; American English restored the sound of the "h.".
Is “herb” a common word?
“Herb” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “herb” have?
“Herb” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plant used to flavour food, especially the leaves.
What is the difference between an herb and a spice?
An herb typically comes from the leafy green parts of a plant, such as basil, mint, or parsley, and is used to flavour food. A spice usually comes from other parts of a plant, such as seeds, bark, or roots, like cinnamon or pepper.
Is herb pronounced with a silent H?
In American English, herb is commonly pronounced with a silent H, sounding like "erb." In British English, the H is typically pronounced, so both pronunciations are considered correct depending on the regional variety of English used.
What is the difference between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs?
Culinary herbs are plants used to flavour food, especially their leaves, such as thyme or oregano. Medicinal herbs are plants used in traditional or alternative medicine, valued for their supposed health effects rather than their taste.
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