Asparagus Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/əˈsparəɡəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A type of vegetable that is obtained from the edible shoots of certain species of Asparagus, native to Western Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.

Examples

• The chef served asparagus with hollandaise sauce as a side dish.
• Asparagus is a popular ingredient in many springtime recipes.

Synonyms

• Spears
• Shoots

Antonyms

• Bulb
• Root

Etymology

The word ‘asparagus’ comes from the Greek word ‘asparagus’, meaning ‘shoot’ or ‘sprout’. It was first used in English in the 16th century to describe the plant.

Usage Notes

Asparagus is often used as a fresh ingredient in salads, soups, and as a side dish. It can also be pickled or preserved for future use.

Cultural References

Asparagus is often used as a symbol of spring and new life in many cultural traditions. It has also been used as a metaphor for growth and renewal.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

‘To come in like a lamb and go out like a lion’ is an idiomatic expression that uses asparagus as a metaphor for a gentle yet powerful presence.

Related Words or Phrases

• Vegetable
• Shooter

Collocations

• Asparagus and hollandaise sauce
• Asparagus and lemon butter

Frequency of Use

Asparagus is a common ingredient in many cuisines, with moderate frequency of use in modern language.

Common Misspellings

• Asperagus
• Asperagas
• Asperager