açaí

American  

[ah-sah-ee, ah-sahy-ee] / ˌɑ sɑˈi, ˌɑ saɪˈi /

Or acai

noun

1. the deep purple, edible berry of a Central and South American palm tree, Euterpe oleracea.

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açaí British  

/ asai /

noun

1. Also called: palm berry.  a berry that grows on palm trees in the Brazilian rainforests. Because it is rich in nutrients, it is used to make energy drinks

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Etymology

Origin of açaí

First recorded in 1850–60; from Portuguese açaí, earlier açay, assaí, uaçay, from either Tupi ïwasaí (unrecorded) or a similar source in the Tupi-Guarani family

Example Sentences

They have delicious smoothies, fresh açaí bowls and classic Brazilian breakfast favorites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

He used to make an income from harvesting açaí berries from trees that once occupied the space.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2025

Its branches bear clusters of between 500 to 900 fruits, hanging up to 80 feet from the ground—making it risky for açaí pickers to climb the tree and access the fruit.

From National Geographic • Dec. 14, 2023

This has gone on for so long now that we should have an annual goodbye-West festival with health-abetting foods such as kale and açaí.

From Washington Post • Oct. 23, 2022

“Hey, Grace, when’s your parents’ end of summer party?” a man asked the young woman dishing out açaí bowls to a crowd who all knew one another’s first name.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2022