Collins
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.”
How to use Collins
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA refreshing tall cocktail, typically named after the spirit used (e.g., Tom Collins uses gin).
Word forms
Collinses plural, Collinses plural, collinses plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She ordered a Tom _____ to cool off on the patio.
Etymology
* As an English surname, variant of Colin. * As an Irish and Manx surname, from Ó Coileáin (“descendant of Coileán”), see Cullen, McQuillan, and McCallion. * As a French surname, Americanized from Collin and Colette. * As a Slovene surname, Americanized from Kolenc, from koleno (“knee”) and the obsolete kolenc (“nipplewort”).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Collins
See all rhymes for Collins →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.