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Definition of basil

basil

/ˈbeɪzəl/
ba · sil
Plural:basils
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basil Lexical Profile

basil Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The fresh or dried leaves of the basil plant, used extensively as a culinary herb to flavor dishes, notably in Italian and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Example

"He garnished the homemade Margherita pizza with fresh leaves of basil."

2

An aromatic annual herb of the mint family, native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia, widely cultivated for its fragrant green leaves.

Example

"She planted basil, thyme, and rosemary in her small kitchen garden."

• Rhymes for basil

• Nearby Words

bashing
basic
basically
basil
basilica
basilisk
basin

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'basil', from Old French 'basile', derived from Latin 'basilicum', which ultimately comes from Ancient Greek 'basilikón' (meaning 'royal'), possibly because it was used in royal perfumes or medicines.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Basil. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/basil
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