noun
herb
hurb
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."
2
A plant used in traditional or alternative medicine.
"He drank a tea made from herbs said to ease headaches."
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
Word Forms
herbs plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “herb”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."