raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē 

-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

Synonyms

• bird [chiefly British]
• boo
• Bronx cheer
• catcall
• hiss
• hoot
• jeer
• razz
• snort

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

Wilson Creek, 2021 Cabernet Franc The nose features red and black fruit aromas of black cherry, red plum, and raspberry, layered with notes of cocoa, clove, and a touch of eucalyptus. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Opera Creams can be flavored as your heart desires -- mint, vanilla, raspberry, coconut -- but our absolute favorite is orange. —Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025

The bag touts tasting notes of strawberry, raspberry, and dark chocolate, which are spot-on. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 1 Jan. 2025

For brunch, stop in to the Briarpatch Restaurant for raspberry and brie French toast. —Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

English dialect rasp raspberry + English berry

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing raspberry

• black raspberry

Kids Definition

raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē 

-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