Illustration of sage
- 3sage 1a
1
: one (such as a profound philosopher) distinguished for wisdom
2
: a mature or venerable person of sound judgment
sager; sagest
1
: proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment
sage advice
sageness
noun
1
a
: a European perennial mint (Salvia officinalis) with grayish-green aromatic leaves used especially in flavoring meats
broadly
: salvia
b
: the fresh or dried leaves of sage
2
3
: a light grayish green
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Adjective
Examples of sage in a Sentence
Adjective
a sage suggestion that anyone should think long and hard before deciding to marry
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
As far as business leaders go, Chaifetz offers sage advice.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The sage added to this buttermilk recipe adds a nice earthiness that will pair perfectly with your holiday meals.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2024
The wines also age well, as this 2016 shows bright cranberry and raspberry flavors with herbal notes of sage around the edges.
—Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
Earth tones are as popular as ever among homeowners (especially sage green shades), with tranquil hues from Mother Nature transforming the look and feel of interiors.
—Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2024
The whaling heiress turned investing guru was making millions and dishing out sage advice on Wall Street decades before the man known as the greatest investor of our era, Warren Buffett, was even born.
—Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2024
For up-and-coming women in the music industry, the duo has some specific, sage advice.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024
Give them a follow—and come back and thank us when their sage advice changes your life (or just your look) for the better.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024
Noun
The white sage has thrived, along with a very happy San Clemente Island bushmallow (Malacothamnus clementinus) that has grown from a one-gallon container to a massive shrub covered with blooms along their east fence.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
As far as business leaders go, Chaifetz offers sage advice.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The sage added to this buttermilk recipe adds a nice earthiness that will pair perfectly with your holiday meals.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2024
The wines also age well, as this 2016 shows bright cranberry and raspberry flavors with herbal notes of sage around the edges.
—Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
Earth tones are as popular as ever among homeowners (especially sage green shades), with tranquil hues from Mother Nature transforming the look and feel of interiors.
—Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2024
The whaling heiress turned investing guru was making millions and dishing out sage advice on Wall Street decades before the man known as the greatest investor of our era, Warren Buffett, was even born.
—Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2024
For up-and-coming women in the music industry, the duo has some specific, sage advice.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024
Give them a follow—and come back and thank us when their sage advice changes your life (or just your look) for the better.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *sapius, from Latin sapere to taste, have good taste, be wise; akin to Oscan sipus knowing, Old Saxon ansebbian to perceive
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Anglo-French sage, salge, from Latin salvia, from salvus healthy; from its use as a medicinal herb — more at safe
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of sage was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing sage
Articles Related to sage
Dictionary Entries Near sage
Cite this Entry
“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sage. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
sage
1 of 3 adjective
sager; sagest
: wise entry 2 sense 1, prudent
sage advice
sagely
adverb
sageness
noun
sage
2 of 3 noun
: a very wise person
sage
3 of 3 noun1
: a European mint with fragrant leaves that is used especially to flavor meat
2
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English sage "wise," from early French sage (same meaning), derived from Latin sapere "to be wise, taste, have good taste" — related to insipid, savant
Noun
Middle English sage "sage plant," from early French sage, salge (same meaning), from Latin salvia "sage plant used for health," from salvus "safe, healthy" — related to safe, save
Medical Definition
sage
noun
: a perennial mint of the genus Salvia (S. officinalis) having grayish green pungent and aromatic leaves that are much used in flavoring foods and as a mild tonic and astringent
broadly
: any plant of the genus Salvia
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on sage
Nglish: Translation of sage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sage for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sage
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