Parterre means: A garden with paths between such flowerbeds.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
parterre
(horticulture) A garden with paths between such flowerbeds.
Etymology timeline
Born ~1767 · no dated citations yet18th centurySee decade cohort →
Seen in the wild
Wikipedia: Parterre
A parterre is a part of a formal garden constructed on a level substrate, consisting of symmetrical patterns, made up by plant beds, plats, low hedges or coloured gravels, which are separated and connected by paths.
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Wikipedia: Parterre
The view of a parterre from inside the house, especially from the upper floors, was a major consideration in its design.
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Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
(horticulture) A garden with paths between such flowerbeds.
For parents
Parterre means: A garden with paths between such flowerbeds.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
parterre means: A garden with paths between such flowerbeds.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(theater) A part of the section of theater seats located on the ground floor, on the same level as the orchestra.
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(horticulture) A flowerbed, particularly an elevated one.
Origin: Borrowed from , from on + ground. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Heard in the wild
“A parterre is a part of a formal garden constructed on a level substrate, consisting of symmetrical patterns, made up by plant beds, plats, low hedges or coloured gravels, which are separated and connected by paths.”
“The view of a parterre from inside the house, especially from the upper floors, was a major consideration in its design.”
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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UK
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Other words near "parterre" (P)
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