ENGLISH
REFERENCE

herb

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɝb// UK //hˈɜːb// herb Archaic General-service Slang

n. a plant with soft stems that people use for medicine, cooking, or making things smell good. You usually use the leaves or flowers rather than the wood or bark.

n. a seed-producing plant that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season; also, any plant part used for culinary, medicinal, or aromatic properties.


SIMPLE

I like to add fresh herbs like basil to my pasta.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef grows a variety of herbs in the kitchen garden to ensure the sauces always have a bright, fresh flavor.

COMPLEX

While many modern medicines are synthesized in laboratories, their active compounds were originally derived from the chemical properties of a specific herb used in traditional healing practices.

Usage

Often used in the plural when referring to a mixture or a collection of different plants.

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