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Glite Dictionary
common sage

common sage

3.2
A small bush with strong-smelling grey-green leaves used to flavor food
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːmən seɪdʒ/
translation icon : salvia
  • Fresh common sage adds a robust flavor to roasted meats and vegetables.

Examples

  • The recipe calls for a teaspoon of chopped common sage.

  • Many gardeners grow common sage for its attractive foliage and culinary uses.

  • I love adding common sage to my roasted vegetables.

  • The common sage plant thrives in sunny gardens.

  • Fresh common sage adds a robust flavor to roasted meats and vegetables.

  • Many gardeners grow common sage for its attractive foliage and culinary uses.

  • The recipe calls for a teaspoon of chopped common sage.

Synonyms

sage
vscommon sage
46 3.5

A grey-green plant with leaves that have a strong smell and add flavor to food

focuses mainly on culinary use rather than medicinal applications
ramona
vscommon sage
  • US
9 9.9

A small bush with strong smelling grey green leaves used to flavor food

is the more familiar name used in cooking rather than a variant
Salvia officinalis
vscommon sage
  • Specialized
4.6

A low bush called sage with grey-green leaves people use to add flavor to food

is the everyday name used in cooking rather than the botanical label

Surface Forms

common sage singular
common sages plural

Morphology

common + sage

The meaning is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'common' (typical) + 'sage' (the aromatic herb) indicates the usual/widespread variety of the herb. This is a transparent, cross-linguistic pattern (type/kind labeling), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Common sage may get its name from the old belief that the plant sage could 'save' or 'heal' people, so it was kept for medicine. That's why people trusted it in the kitchen and today common sage means the familiar cooking herb.