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noun Common

Collins

KO-lihnz
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Collins (noun) means a tall mixed drink made with a spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, served over ice. Example: “She ordered a Tom Collins to cool off on the patio.”

noun
1
A tall mixed drink made with a spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, served over ice.
"She ordered a Tom Collins to cool off on the patio."
"The bartender mixed a vodka collins for the customer at the end of the bar."
"He ordered a schpritzer for himself (it was a hot summer day) and after she'd finished her Collins, he asked if she wanted to order." — Nicholas Samstag, Come and see my shining palace (1966)

How to use Collins

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA refreshing tall cocktail, typically named after the spirit used (e.g., Tom Collins uses gin).

Common pairings
tom collins vodka collins collins glass
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Word forms

Plural
Collinses
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Fill the gap

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She ordered a Tom _____ to cool off on the patio.

Etymology

As an English surname, it is a variant of Colin. As an Irish and Manx surname, it comes from Ó Coileáin ("descendant of Coileán"); see also Cullen, McQuillan and McCallion. As a French surname, it is Americanised from Collin and Colette. As a Slovene surname, it is Americanised from Kolenc, from koleno ("knee") and the obsolete kolenc ("nipplewort").

Synonyms

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highball cooler long drink tall drink

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Rhymes for Collins

Rollins
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Frequently asked questions

What does “Collins” mean?
The word “Collins” means a tall mixed drink made with a spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, served over ice. In plain terms, a refreshing tall cocktail, typically named after the spirit used (e.g., Tom Collins uses gin).
How do you pronounce “Collins”?
“Collins” is pronounced KO-lihnz (/ˈkɑlɪnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Collins” in a sentence?
Here is “Collins” used in a sentence: “She ordered a Tom Collins to cool off on the patio.”
What part of speech is “Collins”?
“Collins” is a noun.
Is “Collins” a common word?
“Collins” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a Collins and a Tom Collins?
A Collins is a family of tall mixed drinks made with a spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water served over ice. A Tom Collins is the best-known member of that family, made specifically with gin; a version made with whiskey is usually called a John Collins.
What glass is a Collins served in?
A Collins is traditionally served in a tall, narrow glass known as a Collins glass, which is named after the drink. The tall shape holds plenty of ice and soda water, keeping the drink cold and lightly carbonated.
What is the difference between a Collins and a highball?
Both are tall mixed drinks served over ice, but a Collins specifically combines a spirit with lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. A highball is a broader category of any spirit lengthened with a larger amount of a non-alcoholic mixer, so a Collins can be seen as a particular style within that wider group.

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