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 wine features vibrant lime, gooseberry, and passionfruit notes with a hint of herbal aromas. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

And if gooseberries are difficult to find, Rochford suggested green seedless grapes or slices of Bosc pears. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

From scene to scene and line to line, though, With Love, Meghan quickly dissolves into a meaningless pile of linen and gooseberries. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025

There are often herbaceous qualities, such as gooseberry, fresh-cut grass, or green bell pepper. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gooseberry

• Cape gooseberry
• Chinese gooseberry

Rhymes for gooseberry

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

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