botanical
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.relating to the scientific study of plants.
adj.pertaining to the science of botany or the biological study of plant life.
Simple“The city is famous for its beautiful botanical gardens.”
In context“The university's botanical collection contains rare specimens gathered from across the tropical archipelago during the nineteenth century.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a substance or ingredient that comes from a plant, often used in medicine or cooking.
n.a substance, such as an extract or essential oil, derived from a plant source for use in pharmacology, cosmetics, or food production.
Simple“This gin is flavoured with a secret mix of botanical ingredients.”
In context“The skincare formula relies on potent botanicals rather than synthetic chemicals to soothe sensitive skin.”
Teacher's tipIn modern marketing, especially for drinks and cosmetics, this is often used as a more sophisticated synonym for 'plant extracts'.
“Among the species they transported from the Caribbean to Europe was the peacock flower, where it became a favored ornamental plant in botanical gardens.”
“Researchers were surprised to find that the charcoal contained greater plant diversity than other botanical remains recovered from the site, including seeds, fruits, and unburned wood.”
From botany + -ical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.