marjoram
marjoram Lexical Profile
marjoram Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The fresh or dried leaves of the marjoram plant, used as a culinary herb to gently flavor soups, stews, dressings, and roasted meats.
"She seasoned the roasted chicken with a delicate blend of garlic, black pepper, and dried marjoram."
A perennial Mediterranean shrub (Origanum majorana) of the mint family, cultivated globally for its fragrant, aromatic leaves.
"The gardener planted a row of sweet marjoram next to the thyme and rosemary to attract pollinators."
Word Nuance & Usage
Marjoram is often confused with its close botanical relative oregano (sometimes referred to as 'wild marjoram'), but culinary sweet marjoram has a notably milder, sweeter, and more floral flavor profile.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'majoran', via Old French 'majorane' and Medieval Latin 'majorana'. Its ultimate origin is unknown, though it was likely influenced by folk etymology associating it with the Latin word 'maior' (greater).