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

Key ingredients include fenugreek to help plump strands, onion extract to support growth and reduce breakage, and amla (Indian gooseberry) to condition and protect against UV damage. —Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025

The search for gooseberry and blueberry highlight the rising search for fresh, fruity smells. —Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2025

Mail-order nurseries typically ship bare-root gooseberries and currants for spring planting. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025

The menu features a world of escabeche dishes; gooseberry sea bass crudo, and sardine empanada with piparra emulsion. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 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