What does parasol mean?
Word: Parasol
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Parasol means a light umbrella that keeps the hot sun off you.
Synonyms: sunshade
How do you spell parasol?
Syllables: par - a - sol
Tricky part: The word stops at the l. Students expect a final e, because sole and console end that way, and so they add one.
Watch out for: parasole, parasoll
Memory tip: A parasol is made to be light, so it carries no extra weight at the end: stop at the l and add nothing more.
Parasol in a sentence
Example 1: Grandma carries a bright parasol when she walks to the market in May.
Example 2: The ice-cream seller set up a striped parasol over his cart.
Example 3: A row of parasols shaded the chairs beside the pool.
Fun Fact
In old Indian and Persian paintings, a servant often walks behind a king, holding a parasol over him. Shade from the sun was a sign of high rank.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
In which word will the same letter fill both blanks?
a) w_nd_w
b) p_r_sol
c) m_st_ke
d) r_d_sh
Show answer
b) p_r_sol. Each of the other three needs two different letters, as window, mistake and radish show.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) parakeet
b) parallel
c) paradise
d) parrasol
Show answer
d) parrasol. All four open alike, and paradise and parakeet show that a single consonant does the job.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
alrospa
a) a swinging cloth bed slung between trees
b) a wide straw hat worn for farm work
c) a thin curtain hung across a window
d) a hand-held cover for hot, bright days
Show answer
d) a hand-held cover for hot, bright days. These seven letters rearrange to give the page word, which you hold over your head.
Word Champ
In which option are the given words arranged in alphabetical order?
1. parasol 2. paragraph 3. parachute 4. parade
a) 4321
b) 3421
c) 2341
d) 3241
Show answer
b) 3421. All four share their first four letters, so the fifth decides: c, d, g, then s.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. On which day would a parasol be most useful?
a) a windy night out at sea
b) a misty morning in the hills
c) a cloudless day on the beach
d) a snowy evening in the Alps
Show answer
c) a cloudless day on the beach
2. Why would a parasol be a poor choice in a storm?
a) its handle is too long to hold
b) it is too big for one person
c) its colours fade in the dark
d) its light cover is not for rain
Show answer
d) its light cover is not for rain
