herb Robert

noun

herb Rob·ert ˈ(h)ərb-ˈrä-bərt

: a low annual or biennial geranium (Geranium robertianum) with small reddish-purple flowers

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin herba Roberti, probably from Robertus (St. Robert) †1067 French ecclesiastic

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of herb Robert was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Herb Robert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herb%20Robert. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

jeopardize

Listen to the pronunciation of jeopardize

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language