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

Stems of this sizeable herbaceous shrub are winter hardy in zones 8 and warmer. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Imagine a flavor that’s reminiscent of both earthy carrots and herbaceous parsley, all in one leafy green package. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026

Here, the scent contrasts subtle white florals and herbaceous white tea, with notes of cedarwood and guaiacwood. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026

The bittersweet Italian liqueur Amaro Nonino provides herbaceous orange notes, and it’s given both brightness and a surprising amount of charm from a couple dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 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