noun
parmesan
PAH-mih-zan
Parmesan (noun) means a hard, aged Italian cheese with a strong, salty flavour, traditionally made near Parma. Example: “She grated fresh parmesan over the risotto just before serving.”
noun
1
A hard, aged Italian cheese with a strong, salty flavour, traditionally made near Parma.
"She grated fresh parmesan over the risotto just before serving."
"The recipe calls for a generous handful of parmesan."
adj
1
Coming from or associated with Parma, Italy.
"The chef used a traditional parmesan recipe passed down through his family."
How to use parmesan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hard, salty Italian cheese usually grated over pasta or salads.
Common pairings
grated parmesan
parmesan cheese
shaved parmesan
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like parmesan.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- parmesans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She grated fresh _____ over the risotto just before serving.
Etymology
From Middle French parmesan, ultimately from Latin Parma, the Italian city the cheese is named after.
Rhymes for parmesan
See all rhymes for parmesan →Frequently asked questions
What does “parmesan” mean?
The word “parmesan” means a hard, aged Italian cheese with a strong, salty flavour, traditionally made near Parma. In plain terms, a hard, salty Italian cheese usually grated over pasta or salads.
How do you pronounce “parmesan”?
“Parmesan” is pronounced PAH-mih-zan (/ˈpɑːmɪˌzæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “parmesan” in a sentence?
Here is “parmesan” used in a sentence: “She grated fresh parmesan over the risotto just before serving.”
What part of speech is “parmesan”?
Depending on how it is used, “parmesan” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “parmesan” come from?
The word “parmesan” comes from Latin. From Middle French parmesan, ultimately from Latin Parma, the Italian city the cheese is named after.
How many meanings does “parmesan” have?
“Parmesan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, aged Italian cheese with a strong, salty flavour, traditionally made near Parma.
