cocktail
KOK-tayl
Cocktail (noun) means a mixed alcoholic drink, typically combining spirits with other ingredients like juice, syrup, or bitters. Example: “She ordered a cocktail with gin, lime, and soda.”
noun
1
A mixed alcoholic drink, typically combining spirits with other ingredients like juice, syrup, or bitters.
"She ordered a cocktail with gin, lime, and soda."
"The bar's signature cocktail was a smoky mezcal blend."
"We shared a fruity cocktail with a little umbrella on the terrace."
2
A mixture of different substances or things, used more broadly.
"Doctors warned about the dangerous cocktail of drugs he was taking."
"The film is a cocktail of comedy, mystery and romance."
"Her feelings were a strange cocktail of relief and sadness."
How to use cocktail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mixed alcoholic drink, or more generally any mixture of different things, often ones that don't go well together.
Common pairings
a cocktail party
mix a cocktail
a cocktail of chemicals
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Word forms
- Plural
- cocktails
- Third person singular
- cocktails
- Past tense
- cocktailed
- Comparative
- more cocktail
- Superlative
- most cocktail
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She ordered a _____ with gin, lime, and soda.
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.
Class of 1600
cocktail joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cocktail
See all rhymes for 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.
