wormwood
Wormwood (noun) means a very bitter herb used in medicine and in making absinthe and vermouth. Example: “Wormwood gives absinthe its distinctive bitter edge.”
How to use wormwood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bitter herb, or figuratively, a source of bitterness or grief.
Despite the spelling, it has no real connection to "worm" — that's just how the word evolved over time.
Word forms
wormwoods plural, Wormwoods plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ gives absinthe its distinctive bitter edge.
Etymology
From Old English "wermōd," reshaped over time to look like "worm" plus "wood," though it has nothing to do with worms. It's a relative of "vermouth."
Rhymes for wormwood
See all rhymes for wormwood →Frequently asked questions
What does “wormwood” mean?
The word “wormwood” means a very bitter herb used in medicine and in making absinthe and vermouth. In plain terms, a bitter herb, or figuratively, a source of bitterness or grief.
How do you pronounce “wormwood”?
“Wormwood” is pronounced WUHM-wuud (/ˈwɚm.wʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wormwood” in a sentence?
Here is “wormwood” used in a sentence: “Wormwood gives absinthe its distinctive bitter edge.”
What part of speech is “wormwood”?
“Wormwood” is a noun.
Where does the word “wormwood” come from?
The word “wormwood” comes from Old English. From Old English "wermōd," reshaped over time to look like "worm" plus "wood," though it has nothing to do with worms. It's a relative of "vermouth.".
How many meanings does “wormwood” have?
“Wormwood” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very bitter herb used in medicine and in making absinthe and vermouth.