currant

[ kur-uhnt, kuhr- ]

/ ˈkɜr ənt, ˈkʌr- /

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noun

a small seedless raisin, produced chiefly in California and in the Levant, and used in cookery and confectionery.

the small, edible, acid, round fruit or berry of certain wild or cultivated shrubs of the genus Ribes.

the shrub itself.

any of various similar fruits or shrubs.

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TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

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What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH currant

currant , current

Words nearby currant

curn, Curnow, curr, currach, currajong, currant, currant borer, currant bun, currant jelly clot, currant tomato, currantworm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use currant in a sentence

Barkeley came up with the idea for The Daily Currant after a few other career tracks failed to pan out.
The Daily Currant Moves In on The Onion’s Turf|David Freedlander|March 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pour the currant sauce over the dish, garnish with the fresh oregano or parsley, and serve.
Roast Chicken, Eggplant Pancakes, Cranberry-Walnut Tart|The Daily Beast|December 23, 2008|DAILY BEAST
She's going to have her currant jell' made right away, even whilst the currants are half green.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
Almost any other kind of shrub'd have died long ago, neglected as things have been, but you can't kill a currant bush.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond

I wanted you to make calls with me and to help me with the currant jelly and to put those button-holes into my linen wrapper.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
Pound it in a mortar with some red currant jelly and make up into small cakes with raw eggs.
Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode|Harriet A. de Salis
A wineglassful of port should be added, and a good spoonful of red currant jelly should be dissolved in it.
Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode|Harriet A. de Salis

British Dictionary definitions for currant

currant

/ (ˈkʌrənt) /

noun

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

any of several mainly N temperate shrubs of the genus Ribes, esp R. rubrum (redcurrant) and R. nigrum (blackcurrant): family GrossulariaceaeSee also gooseberry (def. 1)

the small acid fruit of any of these plants

Word Origin for currant

C16: shortened from rayson of Corannte raisin of Corinth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012