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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His Fall of Romulus cocktail gets its bloody look from raspberries. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024 The long-lasting floral and woody fragrance combines a rich blend of raspberry, jasmine and Ambrox Super, offering a warm and spirited aroma. Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 Choose from three shade combinations, including raspberry paired with a soft blush pink akin to rose gold. Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024 The family’s 2018 vintage has aromas of pine needles, eucalyptus, red plum, and black raspberry with soft tannins and flavors of red raspberry, cherry, and red currant. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for raspberry 

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 23 Nov. 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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