drink
DRIHNGK
Drink (verb) means to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it. Example: “Babies need to drink milk several times a day to grow well.”
verb
1
To take liquid into the mouth and swallow it.
"Babies need to drink milk several times a day to grow well."
"She drank a glass of water after the run."
"He drinks two coffees every morning."
2
To consume alcoholic beverages, often habitually.
"My uncle never drinks when he has to drive home afterwards."
"She doesn't drink much, but she enjoys a glass of wine at weddings."
"He stopped drinking after the doctor's warning."
noun
1
Any liquid intended for drinking; a beverage.
"Orange juice is my favourite drink at breakfast time."
"The shop sells hot and cold drinks as well as sandwiches."
"Would you like a drink before dinner?"
2
A serving of an alcoholic beverage.
"He bought her a drink at the bar while they waited for friends."
"One drink is enough for me if I'm driving tonight."
"They went out for a drink after work."
How to use drink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo swallow a liquid, or the liquid itself — often implying alcohol when used loosely ("having a drink").
Common pairings
drink water
have a drink
drink and drive
soft drink
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Word forms
- Plural
- drinks
- Third person singular
- drinks
- Past tense
- drank, drunk, drinked, drunken, drinken, dranken
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Babies need to _____ milk several times a day to grow well.
Etymology
From Old English drincan, an ancient Germanic word for taking liquid into the mouth.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for drink
See all rhymes for drink →Frequently asked questions
What does “drink” mean?
The word “drink” means to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it. In plain terms, to swallow a liquid, or the liquid itself — often implying alcohol when used loosely ("having a drink").
How do you pronounce “drink”?
“Drink” is pronounced DRIHNGK (/ˈdɹɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “drink” in a sentence?
Here is “drink” used in a sentence: “He drinks two coffees every morning.”
What is another word for “drink”?
Words with a similar meaning to “drink” include hydrate, imbibe, wet one's whistle, wet one's beak, alcoholic beverage and beverage.
What part of speech is “drink”?
Depending on how it is used, “drink” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “drink” come from?
The word “drink” comes from Old English. From Old English drincan, an ancient Germanic word for taking liquid into the mouth.
Is “drink” a common word?
“Drink” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “drink” have?
“Drink” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it.
What is the difference between drink and sip?
Both involve taking liquid into the mouth, but sip means to drink slowly in small amounts, as with hot tea or a fine wine. Drink is the general term, covering any speed or quantity. Sipping is a careful, gentle way of drinking; gulping or guzzling is the fast, large-mouthful opposite.
Does "drink" always mean alcohol?
No. Drink simply means to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it — water, juice, coffee, anything. However, "he drinks" or "she doesn't drink" often implies alcohol specifically, judged by context. The plain verb is neutral; only certain phrasings point to alcoholic drinks rather than beverages in general.
What is an example of drink used as a verb?
You drink whenever you swallow liquid: "drink a glass of water," "she drank her coffee slowly," "remember to drink more during hot weather." The verb also appears figuratively — "drink in the view" means to take something in eagerly through the senses, though the core meaning is swallowing liquid.
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