gooseberry

[ goos-ber-ee, -buh-ree, gooz- ]

noun

, plural goose·ber·ries.

1. the edible, acid, globular, sometimes spiny fruit of certain prickly shrubs belonging to the genus Ribes, of the saxifrage family, especially R. uva-crispa (or R. grossularia ).
2. a shrub bearing this fruit.

gooseberry

/ ˈɡʊzbərɪ; -brɪ /

noun

1. a Eurasian shrub, Ribes uva-crispa (or R. grossularia ), having greenish, purple-tinged flowers and ovoid yellow-green or red-purple berries: family Grossulariaceae See also currant
2. 1. the berry of this plant
   2. ( as modifier )

      gooseberry jam

3. informal.
   an unwanted single person in a group of couples, esp a third person with a couple (often in the phrase play gooseberry )
4. Cape gooseberry
   a tropical American solanaceous plant, Physalis peruviana, naturalized in southern Africa, having yellow flowers and edible yellow berries See also ground cherry

Word History and Origins

Origin of gooseberry¹

First recorded in 1525–35; goose + berry

Example Sentences

Or maybe they just have an effective rebrand, as did the kiwi — formerly called the Chinese gooseberry.

From Salon

This possesses herbal and nutty tones on the palate alongside a good concentration of gooseberry and kiwi fruit flavors — nice texture.

From Seattle Times

“And the brothers prefer goji berries if you have them, instead of gooseberries.”

From Literature

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

Eventually, if all goes as hoped, patches of Gary oak, desert gooseberry, and mock orange will take hold and a lush ribbon of cottonwood, willow, and ash trees will line the banks of the river.

From Science Magazine