parasol

American  

[par-uh-sawl, -sol] / ˈpær əˌsɔl, -ˌsɒl /

noun

parasols plural

1. a lightweight umbrella used, especially by women, as a sunshade.

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parasol British  

/ ˈpærəˌsɒl /

noun

1. an umbrella used for protection against the sun; sunshade

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• parasoled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• parasols
  plural

Etymology

Origin of parasol

1610–20; < French, Middle French < Italian parasole. See para- ², Sol

Explanation

A parasol is a little umbrella that protects you from the sun. If you are trying to imitate a fancy Victorian lady, get yourself a parasol. An umbrella is a collapsible shade that people use to keep from getting wet in the rain or burned in the sun. A similar device is a parasol. Parasols are smaller than umbrellas, so they're not as useful in the rain. However, many people, especially on the beach, use parasols to keep the sun from beating down on them. If you don't want a sunburn, a parasol is handy.

Example Sentences

If you do go out in the heat, use a parasol or sunshade.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

Beneath its parasol of trees, the memorial remains the most tranquil of civic sites, welcoming visitors to pause on granite benches slightly elevated above a mosaic tiled floor meant to evoke a classical temple.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

On those sheets, striped with a repeating pattern of Miss Piggy striking different poses underneath a parasol, Miss Piggy models confidence.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

The Japanese superstar emerged onto Rod Laver Arena for her first-round clash on Tuesday carrying a white parasol with matching wide-brimmed hat and long gauzy veil.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

I slipped through a crowd of tourists strolling along the walkway, narrowly avoiding being impaled by the metal tip of a lady’s parasol as she bobbed it merrily about.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros