Meaning & use
cilantro in British English
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseAmericanBritish
The name used in American English for the fresh leaves of the coriander plant, called coriander in British English.
Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase to compare the two regional terms; not a grammatical unit in a sentence.
Patterns
- cilantro in British English is called coriander
If you ask for cilantro in British English, many people will think you mean the spice coriander.
The recipe says cilantro, but in British English you should look for fresh coriander.
In British English, cilantro is not a common word; coriander is the usual term.
Common combinations
- fresh cilantro
- In American recipes, fresh cilantro is often used as a garnish.
- cilantro leaves
- The dish is topped with chopped cilantro leaves.
- coriander in British English
- Coriander in British English refers to both the leaves and the seeds.
Synonyms and how they differ
- coriander
- In British English, coriander is the usual word for the fresh leaves and the plant; in American English, coriander often refers only to the dried seeds.
Commonly confused: cilantro in British English or coriander?
cilantro in British English vs coriander
Coriander is the British English term for the fresh leaves, while cilantro is the American English term. In the US, coriander usually means the dried seed spice.
Practice
In British English, what is the usual word for the fresh green leaves that Americans call cilantro?
Choose one answer.
Coriander is the standard British English term for the fresh leaves. Cilantro is the American term, parsley is a different herb, and cumin is a spice.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cilantro in British English”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.