elderberry

American  

[el-der-ber-ee, -buh-ree] / ˈɛl dərˌbɛr i, -bə ri /

noun

plural

elderberries

1. the berrylike fruit of the elder, old, used in making wine and jelly.

2. elder.

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elderberry British  

/ ˈɛldəˌbɛrɪ /

noun

1. the berry-like fruit of the elder, used for making wines, jellies, etc

2. another name for elder 1

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Usage

What else does elderberry mean? Elderberries are edible, bluish purple berries popularly used to help fight colds and flus. Elderberries are humorously referenced in a popular quote from the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."

Etymology

Origin of elderberry

First recorded in 1400–50, elderberry is from the late Middle English word eldirbery. See elder ², berry

Explanation

The elderberry did not get its name for being old and wise. Instead, this tiny black fruit was named after the plant it comes from, and is often used to make jams and drinks. The elderberry is the dark purple fruit of the elder tree, found mainly in Europe and Asia. These berries are cherished for making delicious jams and syrups. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, elderberries also offer numerous health benefits; however, it's important to cook them before eating, as raw elderberries can be toxic. The elder tree also produces beautiful white flowers, which are often used to make teas and other refreshing beverages.

Example Sentences

In February, during a gnarly bout of the flu, I found both comfort and strength in my very first cup of elderberry lemon balm tea.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Maybe they garner attention for purported health benefits, as did the native elderberry.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2024

Michel has his doubts about the balance of ingredients, the necessity of combining white almond purée, soy sauce and elderberry vinegar in a recipe that he suspects might benefit from some judicious editing.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2023

The latter combines elderberry juice with berry flavorings for what the label translates as “forest fruit.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023

The air filled with the sharp tang of elderberry, dousing the man’s still-grinning head and shoulders.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss