gooseberry

noun

goose·​ber·​ry ˈgüs-ˌber-ē 

ˈgüz-,

-b(ə-)rē,

 chiefly British  ˈgu̇z-

1

a

: the acid usually prickly fruit of any of several shrubs (genus Ribes, especially R. hirtellum of the U.S. and R. uva-crispa of Europe) grouped especially formerly in the saxifrage family but now often placed in a separate family (Grossulariaceae, the gooseberry family)

b

: a shrub bearing gooseberries

2

: currant sense 2

Illustration of gooseberry

• leaves and fruit

Examples of gooseberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The medium-coverage concealer is made with beloved ingredients like moisture-boosting glycerin, brightening licorice root extract, vitamin C-rich amla fruit extract (also known as Indian gooseberry oil), and vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 30 Jan. 2025

The wine is Intense and aromatic on the nose, featuring ripe passion and stone fruit with subtle hints of gooseberry and fresh-cut grass. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025

Here, the fatty acid-rich ingredient works alongside red clover and amla Indian gooseberry to treat mature hair types. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2024

The trick also works with gooseberries, large blackberries, and quail eggs, as well as hydrogel beads—plastic beads soaked in water. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gooseberry

• Cape gooseberry
• Chinese gooseberry

Kids Definition

gooseberry

noun

goose·​ber·​ry ˈgüs-ˌber-ē 

ˈgüz-

: the acid usually prickly fruit of any of several shrubs related to the currant