raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē 

-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

Synonyms of raspberry

• snort

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

In previous outbreaks, the sources were raspberries, fresh herbs (basil, cilantro), onions, and snap/snow peas. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Frozen vegetables are largely safe from cyclospora because more commercial facilities wash and blanch (briefly dip in boiling water) them before they're packaged, but some items (like raspberries) can’t be blanched ahead of freezing. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

There are also Meyer lemons, raspberries and figs as well as the Mexican herb hoya santa and chaya, a leafy green. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

This row of raspberry bushes—planted with early-, mid-, and late-fruiting varieties—provides a summerlong harvest. — Myles McDonnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

English dialect rasp raspberry + English berry

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing raspberry

• black raspberry

Rhymes for raspberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry

Kids Definition

raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē 

-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