# asparagus

/əˈspɛɹəɡəs/ (US) · /ɐspˈæɹəɡəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/asparagus
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the vegetable

noun · CEFR B1

a long, green vegetable that grows in the spring and has a pointed tip.

For teachers: the edible young shoots of the plant Asparagus officinalis, typically harvested in spring.

- We served grilled asparagus with lemon and olive oil as a side dish.
- The chef recommended pairing the steamed asparagus with a light hollandaise sauce to complement its delicate, earthy flavour.

### 2. the plant

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the whole plant that the vegetable grows from, which can have feathery leaves.

For teachers: any of various perennial plants of the genus Asparagus, characterized by leaflike stems and small flowers.

- In the garden, the asparagus plants grew tall and feathery after the harvest ended.
- Botanists classify the genus Asparagus within the family Asparagaceae, noting its unique evolutionary adaptation of stems that function as leaves.

### 3. the colour

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a shade of green that looks like the vegetable.

For teachers: a specific shade of greyish-green resembling the hue of cooked or raw asparagus shoots.

- The walls were painted a soft asparagus green to match the garden view.
- The interior designer selected a palette of asparagus and muted gold to evoke a sense of organic sophistication in the study.

## Examples

- I like to roast asparagus with olive oil and salt.
- The chef served grilled salmon alongside a bunch of fresh, seasonal asparagus spears.
- While white asparagus is prized in parts of Europe for its delicate flavor, the green variety remains more common in supermarkets due to its robust texture and higher nutrient content.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.