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.
The first drop for the brand noted limited quantities of a crêpe mix, shortbread cookie mix, a few flavors of tea, flower sprinkles, honey and a raspberry spread, all of which sold out in less than an hour. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Crafted by perfumer Olivier Polge, Chance Eau Splendide offers crisp fruity notes thanks to raspberry accord. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025 The As Ever founder sells raspberry spread as part of her lifestyle brand's offerings. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 Tahari Asl Wide-leg Pants $109 at Nordstrom Available in classic black and white, which are always easy colors for mixing and matching, these stylish wide-leg pants are also available in bright, spring-perfect colors, like cobalt and raspberry. Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Raspberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raspberry. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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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