noun

gooseberry

GUUZB-ree

Gooseberry (noun) means a small, tart, round green (or sometimes red) berry that grows on a spiny shrub, used in pies, jams, and fools. Example: “Gran's gooseberry crumble is famously sharp.”

noun

A small, tart, round green (or sometimes red) berry that grows on a spiny shrub, used in pies, jams, and fools.

"Gran's gooseberry crumble is famously sharp."

"The hedgerow was thick with wild gooseberry bushes."

(informal, British) A third person who unwantedly tags along with a couple.

"I felt like a total gooseberry sitting between them on the date."

How to use gooseberry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tart British hedgerow fruit, and separately, British slang for the awkward extra person on what should be a couple's outing.

When to use it

The 'unwanted third wheel' sense is chiefly British and informal.

Common pairings

gooseberry jam play gooseberry

Word forms

gooseberries plural

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Fill the gap

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Gran's _____ crumble is famously sharp.

Etymology

"Goose" plus "berry," though the connection to actual geese is unclear — some scholars think the first part was originally a different word, twisted over time by folk etymology into "goose."

Synonyms

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gooseberry bush

Rhymes for gooseberry

berry Kerry ferry Jerry merry terry perry Derry Gerry cherry sherry mulberry

See all rhymes for gooseberry →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gooseberry” mean?

The word “gooseberry” means a small, tart, round green (or sometimes red) berry that grows on a spiny shrub, used in pies, jams, and fools. In plain terms, a tart British hedgerow fruit, and separately, British slang for the awkward extra person on what should be a couple's outing.

How do you pronounce “gooseberry”?

“Gooseberry” is pronounced GUUZB-ree (/ˈɡusˌbɛɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “gooseberry” in a sentence?

Here is “gooseberry” used in a sentence: “Gran's gooseberry crumble is famously sharp.”

What part of speech is “gooseberry”?

“Gooseberry” is a noun.

How many meanings does “gooseberry” have?

“Gooseberry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, tart, round green (or sometimes red) berry that grows on a spiny shrub, used in pies, jams, and fools.