noun
Uncommon
Copenhagen
koh-puhn-HAY-guhn
Copenhagen (noun) means a sweetened hot drink made with spirits and beaten eggs, similar to eggnog. Example: “They warmed up after the walk with a mug of copenhagen.”
noun
1
A sweetened hot drink made with spirits and beaten eggs, similar to eggnog.
"They warmed up after the walk with a mug of copenhagen."
How to use Copenhagen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hot, egg-based alcoholic drink, in the same family as eggnog or a hot toddy.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark — this lowercase sense is an old term for the drink.
When to use it
Rare and largely historical; most people today only know Copenhagen as the city.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Copenhagens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They warmed up after the walk with a mug of _____.
Etymology
Comes from Low German Kopenhagen, a calque of Danish København, perhaps modified by folk etymology. See also chapman and haven.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Copenhagen
See all rhymes for Copenhagen →Frequently asked questions
What does “Copenhagen” mean?
The word “Copenhagen” means a sweetened hot drink made with spirits and beaten eggs, similar to eggnog. In plain terms, a hot, egg-based alcoholic drink, in the same family as eggnog or a hot toddy.
How do you pronounce “Copenhagen”?
“Copenhagen” is pronounced koh-puhn-HAY-guhn (/ˈkoʊpənˌheɪɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Copenhagen” in a sentence?
Here is “Copenhagen” used in a sentence: “They warmed up after the walk with a mug of copenhagen.”
What part of speech is “Copenhagen”?
“Copenhagen” is a noun.
Is “Copenhagen” a common word?
“Copenhagen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is "Copenhagen" the drink related to the city of the same name?
The drink called Copenhagen, a sweetened hot beverage made with spirits and beaten eggs similar to eggnog, shares its name with the Danish capital, though the connection in naming is not something that can be stated with certainty from the definition alone. Context usually makes clear whether someone means the city or the drink.
How is the drink "Copenhagen" different from eggnog?
Copenhagen and eggnog are both sweetened hot drinks made with spirits and beaten eggs, and the two are described as similar to one another. Regional recipes and specific spirits used can vary, which is typically what distinguishes one version from another.
When would someone serve a Copenhagen instead of eggnog?
Since Copenhagen and eggnog are close relatives in style, a host might choose one over the other based on regional tradition, personal recipe preference, or the specific spirits on hand, as both fill the same role as a warm, festive, egg-based drink.
