parsley

American  

[pahr-slee] / ˈpɑr sli /

noun

1. an herb, Pertoselinum crispum, native to the Mediterranean, having either curled leaf clusters French parsley or flat compound leaves Italian parsley, widely cultivated for use in garnishing or seasoning food.

2. the leaves of this plant, used to garnish or season food.

3. any of certain allied or similar plants.

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adjective

1. Also parslied, parsleyed cooked or garnished with parsley.

   parsley potatoes.

parsley British  

/ ˈpɑːslɪ /

noun

1. a S European umbelliferous plant, Petroselinum crispum, widely cultivated for its curled aromatic leaves, which are used in cooking

2. any of various similar and related plants, such as fool's-parsley, stone parsley, and cow parsley

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Other Word Forms

• parsleylike
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of parsley

before 1000; Middle English persely, blend of Old English petersilie and Old French persil; both < Late Latin *petrosilium, alteration of Latin petroselīnum < Greek petrosélīnon rock-parsley. See petro- ¹, celery

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parsley

We’re in the prime season for cooking with aromatics like basil, parsley, and mint, but recipes too often waste these ingredients’ potential.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

Officials there believe contaminated parsley or cilantro are at fault.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

Many people who have been sick have eaten parsley, cilantro and lettuce, officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Dill is particularly good here, but parsley, chives and thyme are all welcome guests.

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

Blackavar was squatting a little way off, under an overhanging plume of cow parsley.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

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