An aqueous adhesive composition comprises a thermosetting resin based on: at least one aromatic compound bearing at least two functions, one of these functions being a hydroxymethyl function and the other being an aldehyde function or a hydroxymethyl function, the aromatic compound comprising at least one aromatic ring; and at least aromatic polyphenol comprising at least one aromatic ring bearing at least two hydroxyl functions in the meta position relative to one another, the two positions ortho to at least one of the hydroxyl functions being unsubstituted. Such an adhesive composition may especially be used to join elements made of wood; it constitutes an advantageous alternative to the use of a formaldehyde-based phenolic resin adhesive.