gooseberry

noun

goose·​ber·​ry ˈgüs-ˌber-ē How to pronounce gooseberry (audio)
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

Illustration of gooseberry

Illustration of gooseberry
  • leaves and fruit

Examples of gooseberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The wine features aromas of citrus zest, green fig, gooseberry and hints of herb and wet stone minerality. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Try loganberries, boysenberries, or gooseberries instead, all of which will deliver a comparable amount of fiber per cup (give or take a gram or two). Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 May 2025 The Crying Tiger Seared Tuna features avocado salad and pickled gooseberries, while the Walnut Shrimp balances candied walnuts and walnut aioli with radish. Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 Rounded, buoyant, fulfilling, powerful and balanced aromas of limes, gooseberries and guavas, white pears and nectarines. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gooseberry

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gooseberry was in 1573

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Cite this Entry

“Gooseberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gooseberry. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

gooseberry

noun
goose·​ber·​ry ˈgüs-ˌber-ē How to pronounce gooseberry (audio)
ˈgüz-
: the acid usually prickly fruit of any of several shrubs related to the currant

More from Merriam-Webster on gooseberry

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