botanical
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of botanical
1650–60; botanic (< Medieval Latin botanicus < Greek botanikós of plants, equivalent to botán ( ē ) herb + -ikos -ic ) + -al 1
Explanation
Use the adjective botanical to describe something that has to do with plants. You might call your illustrated book of New England ferns and mosses a botanical guide. Botanical research involves the study of plants, and a botanical scientist — or botanist — has focused her career on learning about plants. If there are botanical substances in your favorite soda, it means that in addition to sugar and chemicals, there are plant ingredients too. Botanical comes from botanic, which has its root in the Greek word botanikos, "of herbs."
Vocabulary lists containing botanical
My Side of the Mountain
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Allied with Green," Vocabulary from the short story
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Pregnant Body” is mystical and botanical in its pairings.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
Kew's Wakehurst botanical gardens launched its Nature Unlocked programme in 2021 with an aim to develop solutions to climate change, nature recovery and biodiversity loss.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Florist Abriana Vicioso is reimagining the traditional flower workshop as a communal “guided journey,” using botanical arts to foster healing and connection in the heart of Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
This 60-acre wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden is beautiful to wander, and you could easily spend a full day exploring.
From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026
Since Anna was an excellent artist, and specialized, like a lot of women of the time, in painting flowers and plants, she hung her own beautiful botanical watercolors on the walls.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
