cilantro

American  

[si-lahn-troh, -lan-] / sɪˈlɑn troʊ, -ˈlæn- /

noun

1. the strong-scented leaves of the coriander plant, used in salads or to flavor and garnish food.

2. the coriander plant.

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cilantro British  

/ sɪˈlæntrəʊ /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): coriander.  a European umbelliferous plant, Coriandrum sativum, widely cultivated for its aromatic seeds and leaves, used in flavouring food, etc

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Etymology

Origin of cilantro

1900–05; < Spanish, variant of culantro < Vulgar Latin, dissimilated form of Latin coriandrum coriander

Explanation

Cilantro is a strong, distinctive-smelling herb that's often used in Mexican and Indian cooking. While cilantro looks very similar to parsley, its flavor is much stronger. Cilantro is also known as coriander, as are its dried seeds. The fresh herb is often added to dishes just before serving, like Indian dal and Mexican guacamole, and mixed into Indian chutneys. Interestingly, people taste cilantro in completely different ways — cilantro lovers describe it as having a lemony flavor, while haters say it tastes like soap. Cilantro is a Spanish word, from the Latin coliandrum, "coriander."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cilantro

Benedette Hardwick, the owner of the Red B Restaurant in Idabel, Okla., said the restaurant had temporarily stopped serving things like kale, parsley, green onion, raw broccoli, spinach and cilantro.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026

The announcement comes after public health officials investigated Taco Bell locations in the Detroit-area after the chain voluntarily stopped selling lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo and guacamole, “due to a nationwide recall.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

Still, they’re putting in their usual Qdoba bowl orders—these days, sans the lettuce and even the cilantro.

From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026

In the past, foods including bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and scallions have been linked to cyclosporiasis.

From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026

Then Celia’s arms were around him, and Matt could smell the cilantro leaves she chopped up when she was cooking.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer