fraise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, informal, slang (depending on meaning)
Quick answer
What does “fraise” mean?
A fruit (berry) that is soft, juicy, typically red, and grows on a low plant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fruit (berry) that is soft, juicy, typically red, and grows on a low plant.
A flavouring or descriptor for something having the characteristic colour or taste of the fruit; (slang) a promiscuous young woman, particularly in jazz slang; (rare, slang) an attractive woman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences (e.g., in compound words: 'strawberry jam' vs 'strawberry jam'). The slang term was historically used in both varieties but is now obsolete.
Connotations
The fruit has positive, summery, sweet, and natural connotations universally.
Frequency
The fruit is extremely common in both. The slang meaning is equally rare/archaic.
Grammar
How to Use “fraise” in a Sentence
VERB + strawberry: pick, eat, slice, grow, washADJ + strawberry: fresh, ripe, wild, organic, choppedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fraise” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- We went to the PYO farm to get some strawberries.
- She prefers strawberry conserve to marmalade.
American English
- I'll have a strawberry milkshake, please.
- The recipe calls for a pint of fresh strawberries.
adjective
British English
- She had her hair dyed a strawberry blonde shade.
- The baby was born with a small strawberry mark.
American English
- He ordered the strawberry cheesecake for dessert.
- The ice cream parlour is known for its strawberry sauce.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agriculture, food retail, and marketing (e.g., 'strawberry yield', 'strawberry market').
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and food science (e.g., 'Fragaria × ananassa cultivation').
Everyday
Extremely common in food, recipes, and casual conversation.
Technical
In dermatology: 'strawberry haemangioma' (a type of birthmark).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fraise”
- Misspelling as 'strawbery' or 'strawberry'.
- Incorrect plural: 'strawberrys' instead of 'strawberries'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Botanically, no. The strawberry is an 'aggregate accessory fruit', as the fleshy part is derived from the receptacle, not the ovary.
It describes a hair colour that is a blend of blonde and red, with a slight reddish or ginger tint, resembling the colour of some strawberries.
The etymology is uncertain but may refer to the straw-like runners the plant sends out, the practice of mulching with straw, or the old practice of selling the berries on straw skewers.
Yes, the dated jazz slang term for a promiscuous woman is considered archaic and offensive by modern standards and should be avoided.
A fruit (berry) that is soft, juicy, typically red, and grows on a low plant.
Fraise is usually formal, informal, slang (depending on meaning) in register.
Fraise: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrɔːb(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɔːˌberi/ (also /ˈstrɑːˌberi/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The strawberry of one's eye (rare, variant of 'apple of one's eye')”
- “Strawberry social (Canadian: a fundraising event)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STRAW' you drink from and 'BERRY' – a berry so good you'd sip its flavour through a straw.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEETNESS IS GOOD / NATURAL IS PURE (e.g., 'strawberry-sweet smile', 'strawberry-fresh complexion').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common technical/medical use of the word 'strawberry'?