cocktail
0 antonyms and opposites of cocktail, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A mixed alcoholic drink, typically combining spirits with other ingredients like juice, syrup, or bitters.
How to use cocktail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From the early 1600s, originally describing a horse with a "cocked" (upright) tail, like a rooster's; how the word came to mean a mixed drink is still debated, though one theory links it to stimulating "gingered up" drinks.
Full origin of cocktail →Frequently asked questions
What does “cocktail” mean?
The word “cocktail” means a mixed alcoholic drink, typically combining spirits with other ingredients like juice, syrup, or bitters. In plain terms, a mixed alcoholic drink, or more generally any mixture of different things, often ones that don't go well together.
How do you pronounce “cocktail”?
“Cocktail” is pronounced KOK-tayl (/ˈkɑk.teɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cocktail” in a sentence?
Here is “cocktail” used in a sentence: “She ordered a cocktail with gin, lime, and soda.”
What part of speech is “cocktail”?
“Cocktail” is a noun.
Where does the word “cocktail” come from?
The word “cocktail” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin.
Is “cocktail” a common word?
“Cocktail” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cocktail” have?
“Cocktail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mixed alcoholic drink, typically combining spirits with other ingredients like juice, syrup, or bitters.
What is the difference between a cocktail and a mocktail?
A cocktail is a mixed drink that contains alcohol, usually a spirit combined with other ingredients. A mocktail is a non-alcoholic version made to imitate a cocktail's flavors and presentation without any alcohol, as the prefix mock- suggests.
What is the difference between a cocktail and a mixed drink?
All cocktails are mixed drinks, but cocktail traditionally implies a balanced recipe combining a spirit with ingredients like bitters, syrup, citrus, or vermouth. Mixed drink is a broader, more casual term that can mean any combination, including a simple spirit-and-mixer such as rum and cola.
What do 'cocktail party' and 'cocktail dress' have to do with cocktails?
Both phrases come from the drink: a cocktail party is a social gathering where cocktails and other drinks are served, and a cocktail dress is semi-formal wear suitable for such an event. Here cocktail signals a smart, semi-formal social occasion.