gooseberry

noun

goose·​ber·​ry ˈgüs-ˌber-ē How to pronounce gooseberry (audio)
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

Illustration of gooseberry

Illustration of gooseberry
  • leaves and fruit

Examples of gooseberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Geographically, the food is New Nordic, with touches of gooseberry, rye and glittery golden vendace roe from the Baltic Sea. Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Later, those fully mature gooseberries can be harvested and eaten fresh or made into pies. Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026 These acids target dark spots, large pores, and uneven texture, while lemon peel extract and Indian gooseberry step in to brighten and tone skin. Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026 Botanical knowledge was passed on in verse, which is easier to remember, so a gardener knew to place raspberries next to roses, that September was the best time to transplant gooseberries and currants, and that sowing edible weeds like fat hen and thistle between the crops serves as a living mulch. Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gooseberry

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gooseberry was in 1573

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Cite this Entry

“Gooseberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gooseberry. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

gooseberry

noun
goose·​ber·​ry ˈgüs-ˌber-ē How to pronounce gooseberry (audio)
ˈgüz-
: the acid usually prickly fruit of any of several shrubs related to the currant

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