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

The crispy, green falafel balls are packed with cilantro and parsley, and sit on a bed of crunchy lettuce. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

On top of that, parsley and asparagus plants enhance each other’s growth, and parsley can repel asparagus beetles. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026

Garnish with parsley and 3-4 lemon slices. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 28 May 2026

Don’t miss the tasting menu, which on one recent visit concluded with huckleberry ice cream served with intriguingly savory parsley oil. —Harry Cheadle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026

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