strawberry

Etymology

From Middle English strawbery, strauberi, from Old English strēawberiġe, corresponding to straw +‎ berry. The word for straw was derived from a verbal participle and thus meant "(that which is) strewn", hence the applicability to berries growing on a bush.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈstɹɔːb(ə)ɹi/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈstɹɔˌbɛɹi/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈstɹɑˌbɛɹi/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

strawberry (countable and uncountable, plural strawberries)

1. The sweet, usually red, edible fruit of certain plants of the genus Fragaria.

   They went to pick strawberries today.

2. Any plant of the genus Fragaria (that bears such fruit).

   She has the best strawberry patch I've ever seen.

3. A dark pinkish red colour, like that of the fruit; strawberry red.

   strawberry colour:  

4. (rare) Something resembling a strawberry, especially a reddish bruise or birthmark.

Adjective

strawberry (not comparable)

1. Containing or having the flavor of strawberries.

   I'd like a large strawberry shake.

2. Flavored with ethyl methylphenylglycidate, an artificial compound which is said to resemble the taste of strawberries.
3. Of a color similar to ripened strawberries.

   The strawberry lipstick makes her look younger.

Derived terms

Related terms

• arbutus
• Carolina allspice
• hautboy

See also

• (reds) red; blood red, brick red, burgundy, cardinal, carmine, carnation, cerise, cherry, cherry red, Chinese red, cinnabar, claret, crimson, damask, fire brick, fire engine red, flame, flamingo, fuchsia, garnet, geranium, gules, hot pink, incarnadine, Indian red, magenta, maroon, misty rose, nacarat, oxblood, pillar-box red, pink, Pompeian red, poppy, raspberry, red violet, rose, rouge, ruby, ruddy, salmon, sanguine, scarlet, shocking pink, stammel, strawberry, Turkey red, Venetian red, vermillion, vinaceous, vinous, violet red, wine
• strawberry on Wikipedia.Wikipedia