huckleberry

[ huhk-uhl-ber-ee ]

noun

, plural huck·le·ber·ries.

1. the dark-blue or black edible berry of any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Gaylussacia of the heath family.
2. a shrub bearing such fruit.
3. blueberry ( def 1 ).

huckleberry

/ ˈhʌkəlˌbɛrɪ /

noun

1. any American ericaceous shrub of the genus Gaylussacia, having edible dark blue berries with large seeds
2. the fruit of any of these shrubs
3. another name for blueberry
4. a Brit name for whortleberry

Word History and Origins

Origin of huckleberry¹

1660–70, Americanism; perhaps alteration of hurtleberry

Word History and Origins

Origin of huckleberry¹

C17: probably a variant of hurtleberry, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

I really appreciated the language in the film, such as a line, “That’s a huckleberry above my persimmon,” which I am going to start using immediately.

From Salon

A Pacific Northwest forest planted with Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock and larch underplanted with evergreen huckleberry, salal and ferns transitions to an open woodland of native dogwood trees, red twig dogwood and flowering red currant.

From Seattle Times

Fire is bad for all animals, but the first plants that come back, benefiting from openings in the tree canopy, are really good food for bears: huckleberry, cow parsnip and horsetail, to name a few.

From Seattle Times

Hiking through the Wishbone area last summer, advocates noted cedar, hemlock, maple, cottonwood and alder trees, as well as huckleberries, gooseberries and devil’s club plants.

From Seattle Times

He fished and hunted and hiked in the mountains to pick huckleberries.

From Seattle Times