raspberry

American  

[raz-ber-ee, -buh-ree, rahz-] / ˈræzˌbɛr i, -bə ri, ˈrɑz- /

noun

raspberries plural

1. the fruit of any of several shrubs belonging to the genus Rubus, of the rose family, consisting of small and juicy red, black, or pale yellow drupelets forming a detachable cap about a convex receptacle.

2. any shrub bearing this fruit.

3. a dark reddish-purple color.

4. Informal.

   1. Bronx cheer.

   2. any sign or expression of dislike or derision.

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raspberry British  

/ ˈrɑːzbərɪ, -brɪ /

noun

1. any of the prickly shrubs of the rosaceous genus Rubus , such as R. strigosus of E North America and R. idaeus of Europe, that have pinkish-white flowers and typically red berry-like fruits (drupelets) See also bramble

2. 1. the fruit of any such plant

   2. ( as modifier )

      raspberry jelly

3. Popular name: blackcap. 

   1. a related plant, Rubus occidentalis , of E North America, that has black berry-like fruits

   2. the fruit of this plant

4. 1. a dark purplish-red colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a raspberry dress

5. a spluttering noise made with the tongue and lips to express contempt (esp in the phrase blow a raspberry )

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• raspberries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of raspberry

1615–25; earlier rasp(is) raspberry (< ?) + berry; raspberry ( def. 4 ) by shortening of raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart

Explanation

A raspberry is a prickly shrub-like plant that grows small, sweet, red fruit also called raspberries. Look closely at a raspberry and you'll see it's made up of many tiny connected globes. Raspberries are a popular flavor in jam, pie, syrup, and many other delicious products. While they're often red, you can also find black raspberries and even pale, golden-colored raspberries. If someone gives you a raspberry, it doesn't necessarily mean a tiny piece of fruit — they may be making a rude sound in your direction, also known as a raspberry.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

raspberry raspberries

"Guess who's back?" she captioned an image of four bottles of the raspberry flavour.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

It roils with observations about teamwork, inequality and success, but presents as a spangled, stoner-comedy extravaganza with the moxie to give a Monty Python-esque raspberry to realism.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

We don’t have raspberry receptors on the tongue, nor is raspberry flavor some combination of sweet, sour and bitter.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2026

Their visceral cream of pistachio, hazelnut, dark or white chocolate, lemon, raspberry, cinnamon apple, caramel, or speculous.

From Salon ● Feb. 5, 2026

“Did you eat all the raspberry pastries, Glory?”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Simple ways to get that in include eating a little over a cup of raspberries, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, or two-thirds cup of black beans.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 25, 2026

There were wild blackberries and raspberries blanketing the hillsides, and vestiges of old fruit orchards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

It contained sour candies, raspberries, blueberries, sliced strawberries, crackers, cheese, Rice Krispies treats coated with patriotic colored sprinkles and red, white and blue colored chocolate-covered pretzels.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2025

Other products that may suffer include bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, raspberries, and tomatoes.

From Slate ● Mar. 5, 2025

During midmorning they found some raspberries growing in a brushpile.

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen