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

Examples of cool season crops that can be succession-planted include peas, radishes, beets, all types of lettuce and other greens such as kale, spinach, mustard greens, and Swiss chard, and herbs such as dill cilantro, and parsley. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan, parsley, pesto, egg, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper to taste; mix to combine. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

Plant parsley at the base of purple coneflower and tuck rosemary into gaps in a succulent bed. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026

The celebrated restaurant in the Roma Norte neighborhood is most famous for its whole red snapper painted in vibrant swaths of red chile and green parsley sauces, but the menu is filled with must-try seafood (like the impeccable tuna tostadas). —Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 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