noun
cilantro
sih-LANT-roh
Cilantro (noun) means the fresh leaves and stems of the coriander plant, used as a herb in cooking. Example: “Top the tacos with fresh cilantro and lime.”
noun
1
The fresh leaves and stems of the coriander plant, used as a herb in cooking.
"Top the tacos with fresh cilantro and lime."
"Some people say cilantro tastes like soap to them."
How to use cilantro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe leafy herb also called coriander leaf, common in Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian cooking.
UK vs US
"Cilantro" is the standard American term for the leaves; British English usually just says "coriander" for both leaf and seed.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fresh cilantro
chopped cilantro
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Word forms
- Plural
- cilantros
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Top the tacos with fresh _____ and lime.
Etymology
From Spanish cilantro, related to Latin coriandrum, the source of the word "coriander".
Synonyms
View more →
coriander
coriander plant
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cilantro” mean?
The word “cilantro” means the fresh leaves and stems of the coriander plant, used as a herb in cooking. In plain terms, the leafy herb also called coriander leaf, common in Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian cooking.
How do you pronounce “cilantro”?
“Cilantro” is pronounced sih-LANT-roh (/sɪˈlɑntɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cilantro” in a sentence?
Here is “cilantro” used in a sentence: “Top the tacos with fresh cilantro and lime.”
What part of speech is “cilantro”?
“Cilantro” is a noun.
Where does the word “cilantro” come from?
The word “cilantro” comes from Latin. From Spanish cilantro, related to Latin coriandrum, the source of the word "coriander".
