What does rosehip mean?
A rosehip is the fleshy, usually red or orange fruit of a rose, particularly the fruit of wild roses. Each hip contains a cluster of small seeds surrounded by fine hairs, which are removed before the pulp is eaten or strained for use in drinks and preserves. Rosehips have a tart, slightly floral flavour and have traditionally been used in teas, jams, syrups, and cordials. They are also associated with vitamin C, although their nutritional content varies and should not be treated as a substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables. The word is commonly written as one word, “rosehip,” and is also familiar as “rose hip,” particularly in British English. Because the singular is less usual than the plural, speakers often say “a handful of rosehips” or refer to them collectively.
nounThe fruit of a rose, especially the fleshy red or orange hip of a wild rose. Rosehips are used in preserves, syrups, teas, and other foods.
- The red or orange fruit of a rose, especially that of a wild rose; it contains several small seeds and is used in preserves, syrups, drinks, and other culinary preparations.
"She simmered the rosehips with honey to make a tangy syrup for the winter."
"Fresh rosehips can be used to make tea, jam, or syrup."
"The hedge was bright with rosehips in late summer."
The plural is much more usual than the singular, especially when the fruit is discussed collectively or used as an ingredient.
"She picked rosehips from the hedgerow and used them to make jam."
The little hairs surrounding rosehip seeds can irritate the mouth and throat, so the seeds are usually removed before the fruit is eaten or strained.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rosehip come from?
Rosehip is a compound formed from “rose” and “hip,” the established name for this fruit. “Rose” comes through Old French from Latin rosa, while “hip” is an older English fruit-name that was already in use before the compound arose. The two-word form “rose-hip” was established by the nineteenth century, and the closed form “rosehip” became especially common in British usage.
How rosehip is actually used
Also written as two words, “rose hip,” especially in British usage. The plural “rosehips” is far more common than the singular, and the term usually refers collectively to the fruit of wild or cultivated roses.