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

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Etymology

Origin of thyme

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

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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

See Examples For:

thyme

For a quick stroganoff-ish dinner, I’ll simmer them with mushrooms, frozen aromatics, a gravy packet and fresh thyme, then finish everything with sour cream.

From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026

Harebell, wild thyme and mountain pansy flower colourfully in summer months, with salmon and under-threat eels spotted in the rivers.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

I use the zest of a whole lemon rather than its juice — lots of brightness, no unnecessary liquid — plus dried thyme, garlic, onion and enough black pepper to make itself known.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

He grows about 60 different crops, including herbs such as rosemary and thyme, heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, and pick-your-own strawberries and flowers.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

The scent of thyme greeted him, a heavy scent that usually filled the air only by day.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

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