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

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

Currants and their close relatives, gooseberries, have the same basic pruning needs and are most productive when they’re pruned during the dormant season. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026

The best time to take hardwood cuttings from blueberries, gooseberries, and currants is when the plant is dormant, from late fall to winter. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026

Also ask about nonalcoholic options, including drinks like tomato water mixed with gooseberry juice, that mostly sidestep over-sweetness. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

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