botanical

1 of 2

adjective

bo·​tan·​i·​cal bə-ˈta-ni-kəl 

1

: of or relating to plants or botany

2

: derived from plants

3

: species

botanical tulips

botanically

bə-ˈta-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

botanical

2 of 2

noun

plural botanicals

: a substance obtained or derived from a plant: such as

a

: a plant part or extract used especially in skin and hair care products

Certain botanicals are naturals for bringing out the best in the color and condition of the hair.

—Elle

b

: a medicinal preparation derived from a plant

The popular botanical ginkgo biloba does not improve memory, nor does it prevent cognitive decline in older people, according to the largest and longest scientific study conducted on the supplement.

—Elizabeth Weise

c

: plant material used as a flavoring agent (as in gin)

—usually plural

The makeup of gin is basically neutral grain spirits flavored with juniper and other botanicals, and reduced to no less than 80 proof with water.

—Emanuel and Madeline Greenberg

Examples of botanical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Behind the vintage English mirror, a custom de Gournay botanical wall covering depicts plants that represent the four seasons in traditional Chinese culture. —David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

The small room is a fun surprise — doesn’t everyone need a flower arranging room? — enhanced by botanical wallpaper and lighting, latticework, cutout details on the cabinets and ceiling and a soft fabric skirt underneath the marble countertops. —Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

Licensed therapists use marine botanicals in their modern treatments. —Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

The Nourishing Hair Mask $64 Bergdorf Goodman Created by former Vogue staffer Negar Mohammadi, this growing haircare brand uses natural botanicals and techniques passed down from her Persian heritage. —Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French botanique, from Greek botanikos of herbs, from botanē pasture, herb, from boskein to feed, graze; probably akin to Lithuanian guotas flock

First Known Use

Adjective

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing botanical

• botanical garden

Rhymes for botanical

• brahmanical
• mechanical
• tyrannical
• biomechanical
• thermomechanical
• electromechanical
• panicle
• puritanical

Kids Definition

botanical

1 of 2 adjective

bo·​tan·​i·​cal bə-ˈtan-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to plants or botany

2

: made or obtained from plants

botanical drugs

botanically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

botanical

2 of 2 noun

: a usually cosmetic or medicinal product prepared from or containing a plant part or extract

also : the plant part or extract used in such a product

Medical Definition

botanical

1 of 2 adjective

bo·​tan·​i·​cal bə-ˈtan-i-kəl 

variants also botanic

bə-ˈtan-ik 

1

: of or relating to plants or botany

2

: derived from plants

botanically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

botanical

2 of 2 noun

variants also botanic

: a medicinal preparation derived from a plant : herbal remedy

The popular botanical ginkgo biloba does not improve memory, nor does it prevent cognitive decline in older people, according to the largest and longest scientific study conducted on the supplement.

—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today