thyme
thyme Lexical Profile
thyme Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The fresh or dried aromatic leaves and tender sprigs of Thymus vulgaris or related species, widely used as a culinary herb and seasoning in soups, stews, roasted meats, and vegetables.
"The chef seasoned the roasted chicken with garlic, lemon juice, and fresh sprigs of thyme."
Any of various low-growing, aromatic perennial herbs or subshrubs of the genus Thymus (especially Thymus vulgaris) in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to temperate regions of Europe, North Africa, and Asia and having small, fragrant gray-green leaves on woody stems.
"Wild thyme thrives in dry, rocky soils along sunny Mediterranean hillsides."
Any creeping or mat-forming species or cultivar of the genus Thymus grown in rock gardens and borders for its dense clusters of tiny, tubular pink, purple, lilac, or white blossoms that attract bees and other pollinators.
"Creeping thyme covered the stone pathway with a fragrant carpet of tiny purple blossoms in early summer."
• verb
To season, flavor, or garnish food with the herb thyme.
"She lightly thymed the savory broth before letting it simmer on the stove."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'thyme' is spoken with an initial /t/ sound rather than the /θ/ sound typical of the 'th' digraph, making it an exact homophone of 'time'.
• Rhymes for thyme
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French tym, via Latin thymum from Ancient Greek thymon, likely derived from the verb thyein ('to burn as a sacrifice' or 'to fumigate') in reference to the herb's fragrant smoke when burned on altars.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.