noun
cognac
KON-yak
Cognac (noun) means a type of brandy distilled from white wine, traditionally made in the Cognac region of France. Example: “He poured a glass of cognac after dinner.”
noun
1
A type of brandy distilled from white wine, traditionally made in the Cognac region of France.
"Cognac, with the addition of a little paprika and the yolk of an egg, is considered an effective aphrodisiac aid."
— Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs (1961)
"We’d have a script meeting for the next day’s shooting that lasted until two in the morning, and he’d be up again at six for a breakfast meeting. I survived on cognac. I have no idea how he did it."
— Pete Townshend, Who I Am (2012)
"Major manufacturers add a small proportion of caramel to color their cognacs."
"He poured a glass of cognac after dinner."
How to use cognac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA high-quality French brandy named after the town where it is made.
Common mistake
Only brandy made in the designated Cognac region under strict rules can legally be called cognac — other brandy cannot use the name.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a glass of cognac
aged cognac
sip cognac
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Word forms
- Plural
- cognacs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He poured a glass of _____ after dinner.
Etymology
Named after Cognac, the French town at the centre of its production.
Frequently asked questions
What does “cognac” mean?
The word “cognac” means a type of brandy distilled from white wine, traditionally made in the Cognac region of France. In plain terms, a high-quality French brandy named after the town where it is made.
How do you pronounce “cognac”?
“Cognac” is pronounced KON-yak (/ˈkɒn.jæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “cognac” in a sentence?
Here is “cognac” used in a sentence: “He poured a glass of cognac after dinner.”
What part of speech is “cognac”?
“Cognac” is a noun.
Where does the word “cognac” come from?
The word “cognac” comes from French. Named after Cognac, the French town at the centre of its production.
