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

Grapes used to produce Optik 2021 Petite Sirah hail from this vineyard and the resulting wine has aromas of ripe black plum, cigar box, and black raspberry with vibrant acidity and rounded tannins supporting flavors of blueberry, raspberry, and red currant. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025

Third course: raspberries and chocolate or passion fruit cheesecake. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2025

The Easter treat also comes in cotton candy, Dr Pepper, fruit punch, blue raspberry, party cake, Rice Krispies Treats, sour watermelon, chocolate pudding, cinnamon churro and tropical punch flavors. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025

In dark raspberry or Parisian navy, the luxe Saffiano leather bag is 81 percent off. —Kaitlin Gates, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025

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