adj
vegetative
VEHD-zhuh-tay-tihv
adj
1
Relating to plants, especially their growth.
"The plants entered a vegetative stage before flowering began."
2
Describing a state in which a person has minimal brain function and cannot act voluntarily, though they may respond to some stimuli.
"After the accident, doctors said he was in a vegetative state."
How to Use Vegetative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to plant growth, or (medically) a severely unresponsive state.
Common pairings
vegetative state
vegetative growth
persistent vegetative state
Word Forms
more vegetative comparative, most vegetative superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “vegetative”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plants entered a _____ stage before flowering began.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin vegetativus, related to vegetare ("to enliven"), same root family as "vegetable" and "vegetation."