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

Go classic with vanilla bean and sour cherries, or get adventurous with rosemary and currant, or even aged cheddar and black pepper.

From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2025

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

A bouquet by Carol Petty of white sage, coral bells, Catalina currant, sugar bush, hollyleaf cherry and fragrant pitcher sage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2024

Gagliardi says the garden also hosts early-spring plants such as salmonberry, skunk cabbage and red-flowering currant.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 12, 2024

She told them to try rice gruel flavored with cinnamon or currant jelly.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

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

They have very fresh croissants, little biscuits with currants and scones.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2025

Owen: Made from Tempranillo and Grenache grapes from Bodegas Pinuaga, this Tinto delivers juicy black currants, tar and tobacco leaf on the palate, alongside shades of coffee grounds.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

Stir currants into potatoe-water mixture and set aside to cool.

From Salon ● Mar. 12, 2024

Marly didn’t say so, but raspberries and currants seemed better to her.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen