thyme

American  

[tahym, thahym] / taɪm, θaɪm /

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Thymus, of the mint family, including the common garden herb T. vulgaris, a low subshrub having narrow, aromatic leaves used for seasoning.

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thyme British  

/ taɪm /

noun

1. any of various small shrubs of the temperate genus Thymus, having a strong mintlike odour, small leaves, and white, pink, or red flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Other Word Forms

• thymy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of thyme

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin thymum < Greek thýmon

Explanation

Thyme is a plant that's used for cooking and smells great too. If you're an aspiring chef, you're probably very familiar with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Thyme is a common ingredient in many culinary traditions, including French and Middle Eastern food. In ancient Greece, thyme was believed to inspire courage, and it was commonly burned as incense and used in ritual baths. Before antibiotics were discovered, thyme oil was often used as an antiseptic (and the germ-killing mouthwash Listerine still includes thyme in its ingredients). The root of thyme means "rise in a cloud," a possible reference to its strong scent.

Example Sentences

The pumpkin rice and peas, seasoned with thyme, from Dominica was a good complement to the Trinidadian curry shrimp, whose pot was licked clean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Roasted fruit welcomes herbs: rosemary with grapes, thyme with honeyed peaches, basil with strawberries.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

The mixture is seasoned with herbs, like thyme and parsley, and poured into a casserole dish.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Despite its potential, thyme extract has practical drawbacks that limit how it can be used.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

The stew smelled like thyme and roast mutton that night, and when Beatrice lifted the lid, the fragrant steam wafted up in a hot cloud.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo