# parsley

/ˈpɑɹsɫi/ (US) · /pˈɑːsli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/parsley
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the herb or its leaves

noun · CEFR B1

a green plant whose leaves are used in cooking to add a fresh taste or to make a plate look nice.

For teachers: the leaves of the Petroselinum crispum plant, used as a culinary herb or garnish in various global cuisines. Uncountable when referring to the food ingredient.

- She chopped some fresh parsley to sprinkle over the potatoes before serving.
- The chef finished the dish with a generous handful of finely minced flat-leaf parsley to provide a bright, herbaceous contrast to the rich sauce.

### 2. the plant itself

noun · CEFR B2

the actual plant that grows in a garden or pot.

For teachers: the biennial plant species Petroselinum crispum, characterized by its bright green, curled or flat foliage. Countable when referring to individual plants.

- We planted three different parsleys in the herb garden this spring.
- Parsley thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can be grown easily in kitchen window boxes for year-round access.

### 3. to add parsley to

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to put parsley on a dish.

For teachers: to garnish or season a culinary preparation with parsley. Transitive; primarily used in professional culinary contexts.

- The cook parsleyed the fish just before it left the kitchen.
- The recipe suggests that the potatoes be buttered and parsleyed immediately after draining to ensure the herb adheres to the surface.

## Examples

- I added some fresh parsley to the pasta sauce.
- The chef finished the dish by sprinkling finely chopped parsley over the grilled fish for a touch of color.
- While flat-leaf parsley is generally preferred by cooks for its robust flavor, the curly variety remains a popular choice for garnishing plates in traditional restaurant service.

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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.