currant

noun

cur·rant ˈkər-ənt

ˈkə-rənt

: a small seedless raisin originally grown chiefly in the eastern Mediterranean

: the acid edible fruit of various shrubs (genus Ribes) placed in either the saxifrage or gooseberry family

also : a plant bearing currants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Trouble can arise when disturbances such as eating toxic foods like grapes, raisins, and currants. —

Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 21 June 2023 Our red flowering currant has been in the ground for at least five years. —

oregonlive, 18 June 2023 Try calafate gelato, calafate liqueur, and delicious jams made from chaura (prickly heath) and zarzaparrilla (wild currant). —

Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2023 Sweet currants or raisins balance the flavors out with a bit of sweetness, and the bread itself makes a bright, flavorful counterpoint to a heavy stew. —

Kate Merker, Country Living, 15 Feb. 2023 According to the brand, tasting notes include currants, dark chocolate, and roasted chestnuts on the palate, followed by sweet figs, ginger and spice on the finish. —

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2023 Scatter the currants into the flour and fold them in with a flexible spatula until evenly distributed. —

Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023 The next day began with a hearty oatmeal (standout flavors included Zante currants, pumpkin seeds, banana flakes, and cinnamon) and ended with the bibimbap: a spicy yet sweet mixed rice dish with sesame, Gochugaru (a Korean red chile pepper), shiitake mushrooms, and brown sugar. —

Anthony Walsh, Outside Online, 28 Feb. 2023 Smoky, spicy with dark fruit / currant. —

Marc Bona, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'currant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from earlier corawnce, currantes, ellipsis from Middle English reysouns of corans, borrowed from Anglo-French raisins de Curance "raisins of Corinth," from Corinth, Greece

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of currant was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century