currant

American  

[kur-uhnt, kuhr-] / ˈkɜr ənt, ˈkʌr- /

noun

• currants
  plural

1. a small seedless raisin, of the cultivar Black Corinth, produced chiefly in Greece, and used in cooking and confectionery.

2. the small, edible, acidic, round fruit of certain wild or cultivated shrubs of the genus Ribes.

3. any of various fruit-bearing shrubs of the genus Ribes, including black currant and gooseberry.

4. any of various fruits or shrubs resembling those of the genus Ribes.

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currant British  

/ ˈkʌrənt /

noun

1. a small dried seedless grape of the Mediterranean region, used in cooking

2. any of several mainly N temperate shrubs of the genus Ribes, esp R. rubrum (redcurrant) and R. nigrum (blackcurrant): family Grossulariaceae See also gooseberry

3. the small acid fruit of any of these plants

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• currants
  plural

Etymology

Origin of currant

First recorded in 1300–50; shortened from Middle English raysons of Coraunte “raisins of Corinth, ” the port in Greece from which they originally came

Explanation

A currant is a small dried fruit, similar to a tiny raisin. Your favorite recipe for Irish soda bread might include grated orange rind and currants. There are two types of fruit that we call currants. The first is a small berry typically used in making jam and jelly, and the second is small variety of raisin made from grapes that are grown in Greece and California. Currants are very common in traditional British cooking, particularly in baked goods like scones and sweets like Christmas pudding. Don't confuse currant with current, which means "in the present." You might say, "Jam? My current favorite is currant!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

currant currants

The meal begins with scallop brightened with currant and rye-seasoned buttermilk, then slow-cooked reindeer, sirloin and tongue, finished over wood, mushroom purée beneath and fermented cabbage cutting richness.

From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2026

She’s laid out brownies and lemon and currant loaves that she baked hours earlier.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2024

Same with the eight jugs of red currant wine in Susan’s tale that become eight cases of mezcal in Sadie’s and eight bottles of plum brandy in Beckett’s.

From New York Times ● May 20, 2024

Consider the French Kir Royale, which consists of just black currant liqueur and champagne—it's almost always served neat.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 17, 2023

Servants set down dishes—roasted goose shining with currant glaze, oysters and stewed ramps, acorn cakes and whole fish stuffed with rose hips.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum, Wash., infuses its apple ciders with tart and earthy native black currants, blueberries and aronia berries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025

It’s got avocado and chicken and bacon and currants and almonds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2025

Accompany with curried couscous, mint, pine nuts and currants.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2024

August and September are the best months to visit, when visitor favorites such as apples, blackberries, currants and raspberries are ready for picking.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 8, 2023

The little pieces of pastry Sister Fenella had left after trimming her rhubarb pies were formed into clumsy crosses or fish shapes, or rolled around a few currants, then sprinkled with sugar and baked separately.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman