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

Finish with a swirl of chili oil, fresh herbs — basil, parsley or dill — and a spoonful of yogurt or cream.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Milk parsley, which grows in marshy habitats, was once widespread around Hornsea Mere, but has declined sharply in recent decades.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The 9-year-old paralyzed in a grocery store aisle, unable to tell parsley from cilantro, whose parents can no longer risk leaving home to shop.

From Slate • Jan. 29, 2026

They also feature a beautiful medley of herbs, namely parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

“Just before the casket is closed, the mourners sprinkle parsley and paprika on the deceased.”

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut