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

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Etymology

Origin of raspberry

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

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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

Do a fresh raspberry sauce, which takes like 10 minutes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

Delicious food — Jamaican patties, raspberry tarts, Nigerian-style goat, salmon tamales — scented the streets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

Vibrant and intense, but light on the palate, with complex flavors and aromas of purple flowers, dried herbs, baking spices, raspberry and cranberry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

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

“Hey, Sweet Pea!” he said, lifting me up as soon as he walked through the door, giving me a raspberry on my cheek.

From "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson

His firm offers growers crop predictions for strawberries and also raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and tomatoes.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

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

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

He had been taking the last of the raspberries and something came inside and stopped him, and when he looked where his ears said to look there was a female bear with cubs.

From "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

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