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

Also known as catmint, this herbaceous perennial emits a chemical that acts as a natural insect repellent. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 May 2026

Try clean citrus scents like lemon and bergamot, or something a bit more herbaceous like rosemary or basil, to complement kitchen aromas. —Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026

On the palate, the mezcal opens with cooked agave flavors, followed by herbaceous notes of fennel, white pepper, and green herbs, along with a light vegetal bitterness. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Packed with minerals and vitamins, the herbaceous perennial is surprisingly versatile and can easily be added to soups or used to make tea. —Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 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