What does "raspberry" mean?

1. (the fruit) a small, soft red fruit that grows on a bush and has many tiny seeds. 2. (a rude sound) a sound made by blowing through your lips with your tongue out to show you are joking or to be rude. 3. (the colour) having a dark pinkish-red colour like the fruit. 4. (to make the sound) to make a noise with your mouth that sounds like a fart.

raspberry

n. · adj. · v.

US //ˈɹæzˌbɛɹi// UK //ɹˈɑːsbəɹi// rasp·ber·ry

1 the fruit (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a small, soft red fruit that grows on a bush and has many tiny seeds.

the edible aggregate fruit of various plant species in the genus Rubus, typically red and characterized by a hollow core when picked.

Example

She picked a bowl of fresh raspberries from the garden for dessert.

Example

The chef garnished the tart with a single wild raspberry, providing a sharp contrast to the rich chocolate ganache.
2 a rude sound (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a sound made by blowing through your lips with your tongue out to show you are joking or to be rude.

a sound made by vibrating the tongue and lips, intended to imitate flatulence as a sign of derision or in play.

Example

The toddler blew a raspberry at his father and started giggling.

Example

When the politician made the unpopular suggestion, several members of the audience responded by blowing a loud raspberry in protest.
- bronx cheer

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3 the colour (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

having a dark pinkish-red colour like the fruit.

of a dark, purplish-red or deep pink hue characteristic of a ripe raspberry.

Example

She wore a beautiful raspberry dress to the summer wedding.

Example

The interior designer suggested a raspberry accent wall to add warmth and depth to the otherwise neutral living room.
- crimson
- pinkish red
4 to make the sound (v.)
C1 Advanced Informal

to make a noise with your mouth that sounds like a fart.

to produce a labial or lingual vibration intended to mimic the sound of flatulence.

Example

He raspberryed against the baby's tummy to make her laugh.

Example

The comedian raspberryed into the microphone, drawing a mixture of groans and laughter from the late-night crowd.

Etymology 1

From earlier raspis berry, possibly from raspise (a sweet rose-colored wine), from Anglo-Latin vinum raspeys, of uncertain origin. Possibly related to rasp (“coarse, rough”), of Germanic origin.

Etymology 2

Cockney rhyming slang, from raspberry tart = fart (though "raspberry" is rarely used for a fart, merely a noise which imitates it). Compare raspberry ripple = cripple.