herb

noun

URB/(h)ɝb/UKHURB/hɜːb/

Pluralherbs

5 meanings of herb

Practice

1
nouncountable
A plant or plant part used to give food flavor or to make medicine.
Like a sprinkle of something tasty that makes food smell and taste nicer.
Basil is my favorite herb for pasta sauce.
The garden was full of herbs like basil and mint.
UsageSay an herb if you don't say the h, a herb if you do.
Note
2
soft stemnouncountable
A plant with a soft stem whose top part dies back each year, even if its roots stay alive.
A tomato plant is an herb, not a tree.
Sunflowers are herbs because their stems are soft, not woody.
Note
3
marijuananounslanguncountable
A slang word for marijuana.
They sat on the porch smoking herb all evening.
He always kept some herb hidden in a drawer.
UsageSay some herb, like some weed.
Similarweed, cannabis, dope, grass, ganja
Note

Less common meanings

4
uncool personnounslangUScountable
Someone who is uncool or not respected by others.
Don't be such a herb and join us on the dance floor.
Everyone at school thought the new kid was a herb.
UsageSay a herb, with the h.
Similardork, loser, nerd, dweeb, square
Note
5
nounobsoleteuncountable
Grass and other green plants growing over the ground.
flocks grazing the tender herb
1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, herb means grass and green plants growing on the ground.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin "herba," which came into English through Old French "erbe." The "h" was added back to the spelling in the 15th century because of Latin, but stayed silent for a long time.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

English herb derives from Latin herba through Old French erbe. en.wiktionary.org
The initial h was restored to the spelling in the 15th century under Latin influence. en.wiktionary.org
The h remained silent for centuries after its restoration. en.wikipedia.org