noun

claret

KLA-riht

noun

A dry red wine from the Bordeaux region of France, or a similar style made elsewhere.

"He brought a bottle of claret to go with the roast."

"The restaurant's wine list featured several fine clarets."

A deep purplish-red colour, like the wine.

"She painted the front door a rich claret."

Blood (informal, often boxing slang).

"The boxer's nose was bleeding claret by the second round."

How to Use Claret

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Bordeaux-style red wine; also its deep red colour, and informally, blood.

UK vs US

"Claret" for Bordeaux red wine is chiefly a British term — Americans usually just say Bordeaux or red wine.

Common pairings

a bottle of claret claret-coloured

more claret comparative, clareted past tense, clarets plural, Clarets plural, clarets singular, most claret superlative

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He brought a bottle of _____ to go with the roast.

From Old French vin claret, "clear wine" — originally describing a lighter, clearer red than the deep reds usually made.

cabaret Margaret