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

The appeal lies in the note itself—creamy, green, and gently herbaceous—often balanced with softer, sweeter elements. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026

Visitors can choose between the smoky poblano or the herbaceous verde mole. —Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026

Wine connoisseur and Congregation Member Howard Hoffman of Total Wine & More will lead sampling of eight full-bodied, herbaceous wines. —Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026

Rye whiskey is the drier and spicier cousin of bourbon with an herbaceous edge, an edge which (as with the Sazerac, La Louisiane and others) is given a few dozen exclamation points with a dash of absinthe. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026

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