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

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Similar to berries, herbs such as cilantro, basil and parsley have been tied to previous outbreaks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

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

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

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut