noun
Uncommon
asparagus
uh-SPAR-uh-guhs
Asparagus (noun) means a vegetable plant grown for its tender young shoots, eaten as food. Example: “We grilled some asparagus to go with the steak.”
noun
1
A vegetable plant grown for its tender young shoots, eaten as food.
"We grilled some asparagus to go with the steak."
"Fresh asparagus is in season during the spring."
How to use asparagus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA green vegetable eaten as thin, tender stalks.
Common mistake
Asparagus is uncountable as a food item — say "some asparagus," not "an asparagus" or "asparaguses."
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Word forms
- Plural
- asparaguses, asparagusses, asparagi
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We grilled some _____ to go with the steak.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek asparagos via Latin. In some English dialects the word was reshaped by folk etymology into "sparrowgrass."
Rhymes for asparagus
See all rhymes for asparagus →Frequently asked questions
What does “asparagus” mean?
The word “asparagus” means a vegetable plant grown for its tender young shoots, eaten as food. In plain terms, a green vegetable eaten as thin, tender stalks.
How do you pronounce “asparagus”?
“Asparagus” is pronounced uh-SPAR-uh-guhs (/əˈspæɹ.ə.ɡəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “asparagus” in a sentence?
Here is “asparagus” used in a sentence: “We grilled some asparagus to go with the steak.”
What part of speech is “asparagus”?
“Asparagus” is a noun.
Where does the word “asparagus” come from?
The word “asparagus” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek asparagos via Latin. In some English dialects the word was reshaped by folk etymology into "sparrowgrass.".
Is “asparagus” a common word?
“Asparagus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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