herbaceous

adjective

her·​ba·​ceous ˌ(h)ər-ˈbā-shəs 

1

a

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an herb

b

of a stem : having little or no woody tissue and persisting usually for a single growing season

2

: having the texture, color, or appearance of a leaf

Examples of herbaceous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tree Peonies Tree peonies are also herbaceous peonies derived from Paeonia lactiflora but classified as Paeonia x suffruticosa. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025

This delicious jam is vibrant, not too sweet with pleasing herbaceous notes. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025

This herbaceous perennial poppy (Papaver alpinum) is native to the Alps and the Pyrenees and is hardy in Zones 4-6. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025

Those navy beans, then a breakfast option, were herbaceous and creamy. —Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing herbaceous

• herbaceous border

Rhymes for herbaceous

• arenaceous
• argillaceous
• carbonaceous
• contumacious
• coriaceous
• efficacious
• farinaceous
• foliaceous
• membranaceous
• ochraceous
• olivaceous
• ostentatious

Kids Definition

herbaceous

adjective

her·​ba·​ceous ˌ(h)ər-ˈbā-shəs 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling an herb

2

: being a stem with little or no woody tissue and lasting usually only for a single growing season