noun
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the berry-like fruit of the elder, used for making wines, jellies, etc
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another name for elder 1
Usage
What else does elderberry mean? Elderberries are edible, bluish purple berries popularly used to help fight colds and flus. Elderberries are humorously referenced in a popular quote from the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."
Etymology
Origin of elderberry
First recorded in 1400–50, elderberry is from the late Middle English word eldirbery. See elder 2, berry
Explanation
The elderberry did not get its name for being old and wise. Instead, this tiny black fruit was named after the plant it comes from, and is often used to make jams and drinks. The elderberry is the dark purple fruit of the elder tree, found mainly in Europe and Asia. These berries are cherished for making delicious jams and syrups. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, elderberries also offer numerous health benefits; however, it's important to cook them before eating, as raw elderberries can be toxic. The elder tree also produces beautiful white flowers, which are often used to make teas and other refreshing beverages.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We have passion fruit vines everywhere, and elderberry.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025
In February, during a gnarly bout of the flu, I found both comfort and strength in my very first cup of elderberry lemon balm tea.
From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025
Maybe they garner attention for purported health benefits, as did the native elderberry.
From Salon • Aug. 14, 2024
Several men held clapper sticks made of elderberry wood and began tapping a rhythm.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023
The air filled with the sharp tang of elderberry, dousing the man’s still-grinning head and shoulders.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
