acai

noun

ˌä-ˌsä-ˈē 

-sī-ˈē

variants or less commonly açai

1

a

or acai berry or less commonly açai berry : a small, dark purple, berrylike fruit with a juicy pulp that is often used in beverages or eaten raw and that is produced by a tall, slender palm (Euterpe oleracea) native to tropical rainforests of Central and South America

Note: Acai is a single-seeded drupe that grows in large clusters. In the Brazilian Amazon [Rainforest], acai makes up an important part of the local diet and is often prepared as a mash with cassava pulp.

b

or acai palm or less commonly açai palm : the palm (Euterpe oleracea) that produces acai berries

2

: a beverage made from the juice of the acai berry

Rio de Janeiro is the city that worships health and beauty and where the healthy and the beautiful drink acai.

—Alex Bellosz

Examples of acai in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Frisco also earned a spot in the top 10, ranking at No. 6. Plano wasn’t far behind, coming in at No. 9. Texas showed a strong presence in other categories as well, including gelato and acai bowls. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2025

The à la carte breakfast has something for every taste—from classics like pancakes and omelettes to pastries and health-conscious fare like smoothies, avocado toast, and acai bowls. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025

Nutella acai bowl, Playa Bowls Price: $17 Nothing beats a cold, refreshing acai bowl on a hot summer day. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025

Menu prices range from $4.95 for soups to $14.95 for acai bowls. —Evan Moore july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Brazilian Portuguese assaí, uaçaí, açaí, the palm Euterpe oleracea, borrowed from Tupi *ɨβasaí, from ɨβá "plant, fruit" + an element of uncertain meaning

First Known Use

circa 1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1b