Neem
/niːm/noun
A tropical evergreen tree whose leaves, seeds, and oil are used in traditional medicine, pest control, and cosmetics.
Did you know?The English word neem comes through Hindi from Sanskrit nimbā, and the tree became so culturally powerful in South Asia that it was long used in rituals, healing, and purification practices.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
nimbā
“The neem tree.”
Middle Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
nibba / nimba
“The neem tree.”
Hindi
Hindi
neem
“The neem tree.”
18th–19th Century
English
neem
“The neem tree, introduced into English from South Asian languages.”
Modern English
English
neem
“A tropical tree valued for medicinal and pesticidal uses.”