cola
5 synonyms for cola, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sweet, dark, fizzy soft drink originally flavored with kola nut extract and caramel.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
fizzy drink
soft drink
How to use cola
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a can of cola
diet cola
cola nut
Etymology
From a West African language (compare Temne and Mandinka kola). The drink Coca-Cola made the word famous worldwide and popularized spelling it with a "c" instead of a "k".
Full origin of cola →Frequently asked questions
What does “cola” mean?
The word “cola” means a sweet, dark, fizzy soft drink originally flavored with kola nut extract and caramel. In plain terms, most people just mean the fizzy brown soft drink — think Coke or Pepsi.
How do you pronounce “cola”?
“Cola” is pronounced KOH-luh (/ˈkoʊlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “cola” in a sentence?
Here is “cola” used in a sentence: “She ordered a burger and a cola.”
What part of speech is “cola”?
“Cola” is a noun.
Is “cola” a common word?
“Cola” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “cola” have?
“Cola” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sweet, dark, fizzy soft drink originally flavored with kola nut extract and caramel.
Is cola made from the kola nut?
Cola was originally flavored using extract from the kola nut, along with caramel, which is where the drink gets its name. Many modern cola recipes have shifted away from using real kola nut extract, though the name has remained.
What is the difference between cola and soda?
Cola refers specifically to a dark, sweet, fizzy soft drink flavored with kola nut extract and caramel, while soda is a broader general term for any carbonated soft drink, including flavors like lemon-lime or orange. Cola is one specific type within the wider category of soda.
What does 'cola' mean in cannabis growing slang?
In cannabis cultivation slang, a cola refers to a dense cluster of flower buds on the plant, usually forming at the top of a branch. This is a specialized, unrelated meaning distinct from the soft drink or the kola nut.
