noun Uncommon

Gibraltar

jih-BRAWL-tuh

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Gibraltar (noun) means a small coffee drink made by serving a cortado-style espresso and milk in a short glass. Example: “The barista handed over a gibraltar, the espresso and milk already swirled together.”

noun

A small coffee drink made by serving a cortado-style espresso and milk in a short glass.

"The barista handed over a gibraltar, the espresso and milk already swirled together."

"Coffee shops on the West Coast popularized the gibraltar before it spread nationwide."

How to use Gibraltar

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA style of espresso drink, basically a cortado served in a particular small glass.

Common mistake

Lower-cased in this drink sense; capitalized only when referring to the actual place, the British territory on the Iberian Peninsula.

Common pairings

order a gibraltar a gibraltar glass

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Gibraltars

Test yourself on “Gibraltar” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The barista handed over a _____, the espresso and milk already swirled together.

Etymology

Named after the small glass tumbler the drink is served in, which some baristas nicknamed after the Rock of Gibraltar; the territory itself takes its name from Arabic "Jabal Tariq", meaning "Mount Tariq".

Origin: Arabic

Synonyms

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Calpe

Rhymes for Gibraltar

altar

See all rhymes for Gibraltar →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Gibraltar” mean?

The word “Gibraltar” means a small coffee drink made by serving a cortado-style espresso and milk in a short glass. In plain terms, a style of espresso drink, basically a cortado served in a particular small glass.

How do you pronounce “Gibraltar”?

“Gibraltar” is pronounced jih-BRAWL-tuh (/d͡ʒɪˈbɹɔːltə(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “Gibraltar” in a sentence?

Here is “Gibraltar” used in a sentence: “The barista handed over a gibraltar, the espresso and milk already swirled together.”

What part of speech is “Gibraltar”?

“Gibraltar” is a noun.

Where does the word “Gibraltar” come from?

The word “Gibraltar” comes from Arabic. Named after the small glass tumbler the drink is served in, which some baristas nicknamed after the Rock of Gibraltar; the territory itself takes its name from Arabic "Jabal Tariq", meaning "Mount Tariq".

Is “Gibraltar” a common word?

“Gibraltar” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Vocabulary lists that include Gibraltar:

Words with Arabic origins