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Definition of shiso

shiso

/ˈʃiː.soʊ/
shi · so

Plural:shisos
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shiso Lexical Profile

shiso Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An annual herbaceous plant (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to mountainous regions of China and India and extensively cultivated in East Asia for its fragrant foliage and seeds.

Example

"She planted both red and green varieties of shiso in her summer herb garden."


2

The aromatic, serrated green or purple leaf of a cultivated Asian mint-family herb, widely used as a fresh culinary vegetable, wrap, and garnish in Japanese and East Asian cuisine.

Example

"The chef wrapped the fresh sashimi in a crisp green shiso leaf to add a bright, minty note."

• Rhymes for shiso

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 'shiso' (紫蘇), which derives from Middle Chinese 'zisu', literally meaning 'purple reviving plant' in reference to its traditional medicinal use as an antidote to seafood poisoning.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shiso. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shiso
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