gooseberry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (rare for the literal fruit, C2 for the idiomatic sense)Informal (idiomatic sense); Neutral (literal sense)
Quick answer
What does “gooseberry” mean?
A small, round, tart, edible fruit, typically green or reddish, growing on a thorny shrub.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, round, tart, edible fruit, typically green or reddish, growing on a thorny shrub.
A third person who is present when two people, especially lovers, would prefer to be alone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom 'to play gooseberry' (to be an unwanted third person) is common in British English. In American English, this idiom is virtually unknown; speakers would use phrases like 'to be a third wheel' or 'to tag along'.
Connotations
In BrE, the idiomatic use is mildly humorous and old-fashioned. In AmE, the word is primarily known for the fruit, with no idiomatic connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in AmE; moderately low in BrE, but higher due to the idiom.
Grammar
How to Use “gooseberry” in a Sentence
[play] + gooseberry (as an idiom)[pick/harvest] + gooseberriesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gooseberry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I didn't mean to gooseberry their date, but they invited me along.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He had a rather gooseberry expression as he sat with the couple. (informal, rare)
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, possibly in botanical or culinary studies.
Everyday
Used for the fruit or the social situation idiom (BrE).
Technical
Horticulture, botany, cooking.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gooseberry”
- Using 'gooseberry' to mean 'grape' or 'blueberry'.
- Using the idiom 'play gooseberry' in American English contexts where it is not understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is less common in mainstream supermarkets than berries like strawberries or blueberries, but well-known in the UK and among gardeners.
Informally in British English, based on the idiom, but it's non-standard and rare.
The most common equivalent is 'being a third wheel'.
No. The etymology is uncertain but may come from the Old French 'groseille', or perhaps because the fruit was used in a sauce for goose.
A small, round, tart, edible fruit, typically green or reddish, growing on a thorny shrub.
Gooseberry is usually informal (idiomatic sense); neutral (literal sense) in register.
Gooseberry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊzb(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːsˌberi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play gooseberry”
- “old gooseberry (archaic, meaning a mischievous person)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a goose guarding a berry bush, awkwardly standing between two people trying to have a private picnic. The goose is 'playing gooseberry'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN UNWANTED PERSON IS AN UNRIPE/SOUR FRUIT (BrE idiom).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary meaning of 'gooseberry' in American English?