Definition

A type of wild berry that grows on certain plants in eastern North America, known for being prickly and having a tart flavor.

Example

We picked some dogberries from the bush during our hike in the woods.

Conversation

Have you ever tried a dogberry?

No, I haven't even heard of it before. What is it?

It's a type of wild fruit that grows around here, kind of like a gooseberry.

That sounds interesting! I’d love to try some if I can find it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'dogberry' originates from the combination of 'dog' (from Old English 'docga', meaning a dog or a powerful breed of dog) and 'berry' (from Old English 'berie', meaning a berry or fruit). The term 'dogberry' refers to a type of wild fruit, specifically the fruit of the dogwood tree, which is often associated with the name due to its appearance or characteristics.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'dog' as a strong companion and 'berry' as a small fruit. This helps you remember that 'dogberry' refers to a type of fruit associated with the dogwood tree.

Visually Confused Words