Champagne
sham-PAYN
Champagne (noun) means a sparkling white wine traditionally made in the Champagne region of France using a specific fermentation method. Example: “They popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate the new year.”
noun
1
A sparkling white wine traditionally made in the Champagne region of France using a specific fermentation method.
"They popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate the new year."
2
Loosely, any sparkling white wine, or a glass of it.
"The waiter poured everyone a glass of champagne before the toast."
3
A pale, brownish-gold color resembling the wine.
"The bridesmaids wore dresses in champagne."
How to use Champagne
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe celebratory sparkling wine from France, or the pale gold color that shares its name.
Common mistake
Strictly speaking, only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region under French law can be called "champagne" — other countries' versions are technically just "sparkling wine," though the word is used loosely in everyday speech.
Common pairings
pop the champagne
a glass of champagne
champagne toast
champagne colored
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Champagne.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- champagnes
- Third person singular
- champagnes
- Past tense
- champagned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They popped a bottle of _____ to celebrate the new year.
Etymology
Named after Champagne, the historic region of northeastern France where the wine originated.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Champagne
See all rhymes for Champagne →Frequently asked questions
What does “Champagne” mean?
The word “Champagne” means a sparkling white wine traditionally made in the Champagne region of France using a specific fermentation method. In plain terms, the celebratory sparkling wine from France, or the pale gold color that shares its name.
How do you pronounce “Champagne”?
“Champagne” is pronounced sham-PAYN (/ʃæmˈpeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Champagne” in a sentence?
Here is “Champagne” used in a sentence: “They popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate the new year.”
What is another word for “Champagne”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Champagne” include bubbly, champ, champers, fizz, shampoo and sham.
What part of speech is “Champagne”?
“Champagne” is a noun.
Is “Champagne” a common word?
“Champagne” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “Champagne” have?
“Champagne” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sparkling white wine traditionally made in the Champagne region of France using a specific fermentation method.
What is the difference between "champagne" and "sparkling wine"?
True champagne is a sparkling white wine made specifically in the Champagne region of France using a particular fermentation method. "Sparkling wine" is the general term for any wine with bubbles. All champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne.
What is the difference between "champagne" and "prosecco"?
Both are sparkling wines, but champagne comes only from the Champagne region of France and uses a specific fermentation method. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made from different grapes by a different, tank-based process.
Why is "Champagne" sometimes capitalized?
"Champagne" is capitalized as a wine because it takes its name from the Champagne region of France, a proper place name, and the name is protected so that only sparkling wine from that region may be called champagne. When it describes the pale gold color, it is usually written in lowercase.
Can "champagne" describe a color?
Yes. "Champagne" also names a pale, brownish-gold color that resembles the wine. It is used especially for fabrics, jewelry, cars, and interior decor.
