sage

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsāj 

1

: one (such as a profound philosopher) distinguished for wisdom

2

: a mature or venerable person of sound judgment

sage

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

a

: a European perennial mint (Salvia officinalis) with grayish-green aromatic leaves used especially in flavoring meats

broadly : salvia

b

: the fresh or dried leaves of sage

2

: sagebrush

3

: a light grayish green

Illustration of sage

• ³sage 1a

Synonyms of sage

Noun (1)

• scholar

Examples of sage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bathroom has sage and seafoam ceramic tile and a heated towel warmer. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 June 2026

Instead, try growing scented plants and herbs that naturally deter ticks, like catnip, garlic and other alliums, lemongrass, lavender, geraniums, rosemary, thyme, oregano, citronella, wormwood, lemon balm, sage, bee balm, and marigolds. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026

Pair it with linen sheets and the Natalie shams for a matching design, or mix it with earthy colors like sage green, mustard yellow, or terracotta to add dimension. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

Unlike gubernatorial elections in the last quarter of a century, this year’s race lacked a clear crowd-pleasing front-runner able to win over voters, such as movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger or Jerry Brown, a sage of the California electorate and scion of a storied political family. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French sage, salge, from Latin salvia, from salvus healthy; from its use as a medicinal herb — more at safe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sage

• clary sage
• pineapple sage
• Russian sage
• sage cheese
• sage grouse
• scarlet sage

Rhymes for sage

• age
• gauge
• phage
• plage
• rage
• stage
• wage
• alienage
• assuage
• backstage
• bocage
• downstage

Kids Definition

sage

1 of 3 adjective

ˈsāj 

sager; sagest

: wise entry 2 sense 1, prudent

sage advice

sagely adverb

sageness noun

sage

2 of 3 noun

: a very wise person

sage

3 of 3 noun

1

: a European mint with fragrant leaves that is used especially to flavor meat

2

: sagebrush

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sage "wise," from early French sage (same meaning), derived from Latin sapere "to be wise, taste, have good taste" — related to insipid, savant

Noun

Middle English sage "sage plant," from early French sage, salge (same meaning), from Latin salvia "sage plant used for health," from salvus "safe, healthy" — related to safe, save

Medical Definition

sage

noun

ˈsāj 

: a perennial mint of the genus Salvia (S. officinalis) having grayish green pungent and aromatic leaves that are much used in flavoring foods and as a mild tonic and astringent

broadly : any plant of the genus Salvia