parsley

noun

pars·​ley ˈpär-slē 

: 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

Also, garnish the dip with black sesame seeds or nigella seeds and perhaps some parsley. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

But if that herb’s anise notes aren’t your thing, then basil, dill or parsley will work equally well in this lively, multi-textured dish. —Melissa Clark, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Garnish with parsley and cracked black pepper, optional. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025

Although the ingredients list is long, most are items many cooks always have on hand -- lemons and fresh parsley being the likely exceptions. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing parsley

• Chinese parsley
• fool's parsley
• giant cow parsley
• Italian parsley

Rhymes for parsley

• sparsely

Kids Definition

parsley

noun

pars·​ley ˈpär-slē 

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 

: 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