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Definition of sorbus
sorbus
/ˈsɔːr.bəs/
sor · bus
Plural:sorbuses
sorbus Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
sorbus Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A tree or shrub belonging to a diverse genus within the rose family (Rosaceae), native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, known commonly as rowans, whitebeams, or service trees, and characterized by pinnate or simple leaves and clusters of bright berry-like pomes.
Example
"The landscaper recommended planting a sorbus in the front yard to attract winter birds with its abundant, brightly colored fruit."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sorbusWord Nuance & Usage
In formal botanical contexts, it is capitalized and italicized when denoting the genus ('Sorbus'), but lowercased and treated as a standard noun when referring generically to the plants.
• Rhymes for sorbus
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin 'sorbus', the classical Roman name for the true service tree (Sorbus domestica).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sorbus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sorbus