rosemary

noun

rose·​mary ˈrōz-ˌmer-ē 

plural rosemaries

: a fragrant shrubby Mediterranean mint (Salvia rosmarinus synonym Rosmarinus officinalis) having grayish-green needlelike leaves used as a seasoning

also : the leaves of rosemary

Examples of rosemary in a Sentence

The recipe calls for a tablespoon of rosemary.

Recent Examples on the Web

While certain oils work well together (like lemon and tea tree, sweet orange and cinnamon, peppermint and rosemary), aim to mix only two to three oils when blending to avoid a displeasing or overpowering fragrance. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Nov. 2025

Basil and gin go classically great together, as do rosemary and vodka and mint and rum. —Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025

For a heart-healthy version, Zimmerman suggested roasted potatoes with rosemary or thyme, a baked potato topped with olive oil, herbs, or Greek yogurt, or lightly mashed potatoes made with low-sodium broth instead of cream. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 24 Nov. 2025

Others agreed, saying there was a strong herb flavor like rosemary and sage. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rosemarye, rosemary, folk-etymological alteration of rosmaryn, rosmarine, borrowed from Anglo-French rosemaryn, borrowed from Latin rōsmarīnum, rōs marīnus, literally "sea dew," from rōr-, rōs "dew" + marīnus "of the sea, marine entry 1"; rōr-, rōs going back to Indo-European *h₁rōs-, *h₁ros- "dew, juice" (whence also Old Church Slavic rosa "dew," Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian ròsa, accusative rȍsu, Lithuanian rasà, Sanskrit rásaḥ "juice, liquid"), probably derivative from the verbal base *h₁ers- "stream, flow," whence Sanskrit árṣati "(it) flows," Hittite ārašzi, aršanzi

Note: The element rōs in the Latin compound may represent Greek rhoûs "sumac," conformed to rōr-, rōs "dew" by folk etymology.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rosemary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

rosemary

noun

rose·​mary ˈrōz-ˌmer-ē 

: a fragrant shrubby mint with grayish green needlelike leaves used as a seasoning

also : the leaves of rosemary

Etymology

an altered form of Middle English rosmarine "rosemary," from Latin rosmarinus, literally, "dew of the sea," from ros "dew" and marinus "of the sea"

Medical Definition

rosemary

noun

rose·​mary ˈrōz-ˌmer-ē 

plural rosemaries

: a fragrant shrubby mint (Salvia rosmarinus synonym Rosmarinus officinalis) of southern Europe and Asia Minor that is the source of rosemary oil and was formerly used medicinally as a stimulant and carminative