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

See Examples For:

parasol parasols

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

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

Her face was concealed by a veil, a wide-brim hat and a white parasol that she said was inspired by an image of a jellyfish that excited her 2-year-old daughter.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 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 young man could station himself by a certain park gate as Theresa strolled down a path some hundred feet away, carrying a parasol.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

That view, unlike a similar one in Spain would be, is not yet spoiled by parasols and day-trippers’ detritus.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

Volunteers handed out bottles of water, parasols and food packages to the tens of thousands of pilgrims as they made their way toward Mount Arafat, as helicopters buzzed overhead regularly.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

There were tears, there were surprises, there were a fair few parasols - as the Bafta TV awards took place on the hottest day of the year so far.

From BBC ● May 12, 2024

You can use a sporty sunsail, a patio umbrella or have some fun with decorative parasols.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 21, 2023

Shoppers carry heat-lanterns over their heads like parasols to keep warm.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton