parsley

noun

pars·​ley ˈpär-slē How to pronounce parsley (audio)
: a European biennial herb (Petroselinum crispum) of the carrot family widely grown for its finely dissected curly or flat leaves which are used as an herb or garnish
also : the leaves

Examples of parsley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Pour 2 3/4 cups of water into the pan, then add the parsley stalks (stems), garlic bulb (reserving 1 garlic clove for later) and the potatoes. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2024 Whole parsley leaves are tossed with mixed chicories, slices of pickled winter squash, and an apple cider vinaigrette for nice palate-cleansing acidity. Sunset Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 What makes Tinker Street stand out There’s an undeniable level of care in every dish at Tinker Street, from the parsley dust on the mushroom stroganoff to the crisp, airy chocolate pearls nestled alongside the ricotta donuts. The Indianapolis Star, 19 Feb. 2024 The menu features baked or fried Alaskan cod, french fries or parsley potatoes, coleslaw, rye bread, dessert and coffee or milk. Journal Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2024 Top your bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of parsley. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 2024 Just before serving, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, 1 teaspoon rosemary and the hot-pepper sauce (if using). Bridgette A. Lacy, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Add tomatoes and parsley into skillet; mix thoroughly, then add to stock pot. The Courier-Journal, 16 Jan. 2024 Add the green onions and almost all of the parsley, reserving about 1/2 cup in a small bowl to be added at the table. Andrea Weigl, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parsley.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English persely, from Old English petersilie, from Vulgar Latin *petrosilium, alteration of Latin petroselinum, from Greek petroselinon, from petros stone + selinon celery

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parsley was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near parsley

Cite this Entry

“Parsley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parsley. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parsley

noun
pars·​ley ˈpär-slē How to pronounce parsley (audio)
plural parsleys
: a European herb related to the carrot and widely grown for its finely divided leaves which are used to season or decorate foods
also : the leaves

Medical Definition

parsley

noun
pars·​ley ˈpär-slē How to pronounce parsley (audio)
: a southern European annual or biennial herb (Petroselinum crispum) of the carrot family having leaves which are used as a culinary herb or garnish and a root and seeds which have been used medicinally

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