vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv 

1

: relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation

2

: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom

3

: leading a dull, monotonous, or passive existence : vegetable entry 2 sense 3

4

a(1)

: growing or having the power of growing

(2)

: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions

a vegetative nucleus

b

: promoting plant growth

the vegetative properties of soil

c

: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods

5

a

: autonomic sense 1

b

: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning and only involuntary bodily functions (such as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained

vegetatively adverb

vegetativeness noun

Examples of vegetative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The city’s stormwater drains and ditches are often clogged with tree limbs and other vegetative debris, according to residents. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025

The lack of oxygen to his brain led to severe brain injury, leaving him in a coma and a vegetative state. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 10 May 2025

Among them are a landlady (Linda Rong Mei Chen), a father-in-law (Tony Drazan), even an almost vegetative resident hooked 24/7 on all things David Carradine (Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth turns up for this bit). —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025

But one patient who underwent surgery to remove a cyst ended up in a vegetative state. —Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vegetatif "promoting growth, of the lowest species of soul in Aristotelian philosophy (characteristic of plants), of the plant kingdom," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French vegetative, borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetātīvus, from Late Latin vegetātus, past participle of vegetāre "to live, grow" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at vegetate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a(1)

Phrases Containing vegetative

• persistent vegetative state

Rhymes for vegetative

• allocative
• appellative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative
• infiltrative

Kids Definition

vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or functioning in nutrition and growth rather than reproduction

2

: of, relating to, or involving reproduction by other than sexual means

vegetatively adverb

Medical Definition

vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

1

a(1)

: growing or having the power of growing

(2)

: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions

a vegetative nucleus

b

: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods

2

: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom

3

: affecting, arising from, or relating to involuntary bodily functions

4

: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning typically indicated by a lack of awareness of oneself and one's environment and in which only involuntary bodily functions (as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained

entered a vegetative state following a serious head injury

vegetatively adverb