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

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

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

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, oil, buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, black pepper and red pepper until well combined.

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

It helps nurture a slower, older way of life, with pocket flocks and modest dairy herds enclosed by thick hedgerows foaming with cow parsley and twittering songbirds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026

At the bottom was a brown stream which they crossed on stepping-stones set deep in a carpet of what looked like miniature water parsley.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan