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noun Uncommon

cranberry

KRAN-b-ree

Cranberry (noun) means a small, tart red berry that grows on a low shrub, often eaten dried, juiced, or as a sauce. Example: “No Thanksgiving table is complete without cranberry sauce.”

noun
1
A small, tart red berry that grows on a low shrub, often eaten dried, juiced, or as a sauce.
"No Thanksgiving table is complete without cranberry sauce."
"She drank cranberry juice to help with her urinary tract infection."

How to use cranberry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tart red berry, usually eaten dried, juiced, or cooked into a sauce.

Common pairings
cranberry sauce cranberry juice dried cranberries

Word forms

cranberries plural

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Test yourself on “cranberry” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

No Thanksgiving table is complete without _____ sauce.

Etymology

Borrowed in the 1600s from a Low German word meaning literally "crane-berry", because the plant's stem and blossom reminded people of a crane's head and neck.

Origin: German · First attested 1600

Class of 1600 cranberry joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →

Rhymes for cranberry

See all rhymes for cranberry →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cranberry” mean?

The word “cranberry” means a small, tart red berry that grows on a low shrub, often eaten dried, juiced, or as a sauce. In plain terms, a tart red berry, usually eaten dried, juiced, or cooked into a sauce.

How do you pronounce “cranberry”?

“Cranberry” is pronounced KRAN-b-ree (/ˈkɹæn.bɛr.i/ in IPA).

How do you use “cranberry” in a sentence?

Here is “cranberry” used in a sentence: “No Thanksgiving table is complete without cranberry sauce.”

What part of speech is “cranberry”?

“Cranberry” is a noun.

Where does the word “cranberry” come from?

The word “cranberry” dates back to around 1600 and comes from German. Borrowed in the 1600s from a Low German word meaning literally "crane-berry", because the plant's stem and blossom reminded people of a crane's head and neck.

Is “cranberry” a common word?

“Cranberry” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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