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

Giada called for one 18.25-ounce box of chocolate cake mix, which was blended with raspberry puree, vegetable oil, eggs and a dash of water in a large bowl.

From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2026

"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

For example, this morning for breakfast I had Ready Brek and some hot raspberry milk shake.

From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

Same with precut or packaged lettuce, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.

From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026

I always get berries at the market, too, like raspberries and blueberries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Though he's never been officially diagnosed, he has eaten raspberries – on the list of foods to watch – the only produce he's had in months.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

There might be multiple outbreaks ongoing, said Kniel, so it is reasonable for consumers to be cautious about raspberries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

I weaken again at a clear green broth that I can only describe as tasting like springtime, and again when I try a frothy pink soup dotted with raspberries.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins