raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē How to pronounce raspberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
1
a
: any of various usually black or red edible berries that are aggregate fruits consisting of numerous small drupes on a fleshy receptacle and that are usually rounder and smaller than the closely related blackberries
b
: a perennial plant (genus Rubus) of the rose family that bears raspberries
2
[short for raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart] : a sound of contempt made by protruding the tongue between the lips and expelling air forcibly to produce a vibration
broadly : an expression of disapproval or contempt

Illustration of raspberry

Illustration of raspberry

Examples of raspberry in a Sentence

One of the children made a raspberry at him. there were raspberries from the audience when the hapless actress kept forgetting her lines
Recent Examples on the Web The carousel rolled to show the American Riviera Orchard spread on toast on a plate with raspberries and closed with a playful picture of Figueras taking a bite. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024 So Fresh version has a hint of citrus thanks to top notes of grapefruit, along with raspberry and pear. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for raspberry 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raspberry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

English dialect rasp raspberry + English berry

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of raspberry was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near raspberry

Cite this Entry

“Raspberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raspberry. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

raspberry

noun
rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē How to pronounce raspberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
1
a
: any of various black or red edible berries that are rounder and smaller than the related blackberries
b
: a usually prickly plant that produces raspberries
2
: a sound of scorn made by sticking out the tongue and blowing hard so as to make it vibrate

More from Merriam-Webster on raspberry

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