raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē How to pronounce raspberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
Synonyms of raspberrynext
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

Synonyms 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.
According to the store, the cake is flavored with vanilla and almond, filled with a mixture of raspberry puree, orange zest, and fresh blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and covered in Chantilly-mascarpone cream frosting. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026 Well, near the giant centerpiece decked out in raspberries, of course. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026 Our choice today is chocolate raspberry. Ed Silverman, STAT, 15 Apr. 2026 From moldy raspberries to a missing toilet seat, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026 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 19 Apr. 2026.

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

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