Search Dictionary
Definition of shrub
shrub
/ʃrʌb/
shrub
Plural:shrubs
•Adjective:shrubby
shrub Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
3
Tier
2
Usage
Top 5k
shrub Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A woody plant smaller than a tree, usually having multiple permanent stems branching from or near the ground.
Example
"The landscape architect planted a row of evergreen shrubs to create a natural privacy border around the garden."
2
A sweetened, fruit-and-vinegar-based syrup used as a mixer in cocktails and sodas, or historically, a beverage made from fruit juice, sugar, and spirits.
Example
"The bartender crafted a refreshing summer cocktail using gin, sparkling water, and a homemade blackberry shrub."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for shrub Antonyms
View all antonyms for shrub• Rhymes for shrub
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The botanical sense derives from Old English 'scrybb' (brushwood). The distinct beverage sense comes from Arabic 'sharāb' (a drink), which shares etymological roots with the words 'syrup' and 'sherbet'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shrub. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shrub