vegetative

Also veg·e·tive

[vej-i-tey-tiv]

adjective

1. growing or developing as or like plants; vegetating.

2. of, relating to, or concerned with vegetation or vegetable growth.

3. of or relating to the plant kingdom.

4. noting the parts of a plant not specialized for reproduction.

5. (of reproduction) asexual.

6. denoting or pertaining to those bodily functions that are performed unconsciously or involuntarily.

7. having the power to produce or support growth in plants.

   vegetative mold.

8. characterized by a lack of activity; inactive; passive.

   a vegetative state.

vegetative

/ ˈvɛdʒɪtətɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting the nonreproductive parts of a plant, i.e. the stems, leaves, and roots, or growth that does not involve the reproductive parts

2. (of reproduction) characterized by asexual processes

3. of or relating to functions such as digestion, growth, and circulation rather than sexual reproduction

4. (of a style of living) dull, stagnant, unthinking, or passive

vegetative

1. Relating to or characteristic of plants or their growth.

2. Relating to vegetative reproduction.

3. Relating to feeding and growth rather than reproduction, as in the mobile phase of plasmodial slime molds.

4. Relating to an impaired level of brain function in which a person responds reflexively to certain sensory stimuli but demonstrates no cognitive function.

Other Word Forms

• vegetatively adverb
• vegetativeness noun
• nonvegetative adjective
• nonvegetatively adverb
• nonvegetativeness noun
• nonvegetive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vegetative¹

1350–1400; Middle English vegetatyf < Medieval Latin vegetātīvus. See vegetate, -ive

Example Sentences

Army Corps of Engineers began using just over 3 acres at Sarah’s Point, an area south of Will Rogers’ polo field, to process vegetative debris and concrete from the burn zone.

From Los Angeles Times

He believes a will helps prevent problems for both families and doctors when a patient is in a vegetative state and beyond recovery.

From BBC

“Alani continues to suffer from profound and life-altering consequences due to the injuries she sustained. She remains paralyzed and in a vegetative state,” prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times

Freeborn said two years of relatively heavy rainfall had spurred thick vegetative growth that has now dried and become ample fuel for wildfire.

From Los Angeles Times

Crops that reproduce vegetatively, such as bananas, will be maintained.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• abundant 
• arable 
• fruitful 
• lush 
• productive 
• rich