# cilantro

/sɪˈɫænˌtɹoʊ/ (US) · /sɪlˈɑːntɹəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cilantro
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a green herb with a strong, fresh smell. It is used in many Mexican and Asian dishes to add a special flavor.

For teachers: a herb of the parsley family, Coriandrum sativum, used as a culinary spice and garnish. The leaves are typically used fresh, while the seeds are dried and ground for seasoning.

## Examples

- I always add fresh cilantro to my salsa.
- The chef sprinkled chopped cilantro over the finished dish to give it a bright, citrusy finish.
- While some people find the scent of cilantro overwhelming, others consider it an essential ingredient for achieving the authentic flavor profile of traditional Latin American cuisine.

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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.