herbaceous

[ hur-bey-shuhs, ur- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of an herb; herblike.
2. (of plants or plant parts)
   1. not woody.
   2. having the texture, color, etc., of an ordinary foliage leaf.

herbaceous

/ hɜːˈbeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. designating or relating to plants or plant parts that are fleshy as opposed to woody

   a herbaceous plant

2. (of petals and sepals) green and leaflike
3. of or relating to herbs

Derived Forms

• herˈbaceously, adverb

Other Words From

• her·baceous·ly adverb
• semi·her·baceous adjective
• unher·baceous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of herbaceous¹

1640–50; < Latin herbāceus grassy, like grass, equivalent to herb ( a ) grass, herbs + -āceus -aceous

Example Sentences

The decadent Brillat-Savarin, a triple-cream delight, embodies the vibrant foraging of goats, while Spring Cheddar — made from the milk of cows that have grazed spring pastures — is subtly sweet and lightly herbaceous.

From Salon

The elevated snack tray comes with crudités alongside a pesto yogurt sauce, a tuna tostada, a carpaccio hand roll, shrimp toast and a refreshing, fruity and herbaceous granita that comes in a hollowed-out tangerine rind.

From Los Angeles Times

The rest of the book profiles 368 “often beautiful, but mostly unwanted” plants, organized into sections for trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, grasses and grasslike plants and aquatic weeds.

From Seattle Times

Increased pronghorn productivity is associated with higher shrub cover and herbaceous biomass -- that is to say biomass that isn't woody, like trees.

From Science Daily

However, plants that need a minimum number of winter chill hours to bloom, like lilacs and herbaceous peonies, may not do as well in this environment.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• appetizing
• aromatic
• distinctive
• fiery
• fragrant
• fresh
• hot
• peppery
• piquant
• savory
• seasoned
• sweet
• tangy
• tasty
• zesty