basil Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Basil as a Noun
A plant (Ocimum basilicum).
The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
Any other species in the genus Ocimum.
The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.
The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
A type of cannon.
A fetter fastened round the ankle of a prisoner.
Basil as a Verb
To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.
Word Forms & Grammar
basil (usually uncountable, plural basils)
basil (plural basils)
basil (third-person singular simple present basils, present participle (US) basiling or (UK) basilling, simple past and past participle (US) basiled or (UK) basilled)
Words That Rhyme With Basil
Origin of Basil
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English basile, from Middle French basile, from Old French basile, from Medieval Latin basilicum, from Ancient Greek βασιλικόν (basilikón, “royal”), from βασιλεύς (basileús, “king”). Doublet of basilic, basilicon, and basilicum; further related to basileus, basilean, and basileiolatry.
Origin 2: Variant of bezel.
Origin 3: Corrupted from English basan, from French basane, from Late Latin basanium, from Arabic بِطانَة (biṭāna, “lining”).
Origin 4: From Old French basile (“basilisk”).
Quick Facts About Basil
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbæz.əl/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Meaning | A plant (Ocimum basilicum) |
| Plural | basils |
| Verb forms | basils, and past participle |
How Do You Say Basil?
Basil is pronounced /ˈbæz.əl/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (bæz).
Frequently Asked Questions About Basil
Is basil a noun or a verb?
Basil is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of basil?
The plural of basil is basils.
What is the past tense of basil?
The past tense of basil is and past participle.