noun
Common
liquor
LIHK-uh
Liquor (noun) means a strong distilled alcoholic drink, such as whisky, vodka, or gin. Example: “The shop kept its strongest liquor in a locked cabinet behind the counter.”
noun
1
A strong distilled alcoholic drink, such as whisky, vodka, or gin.
"The shop kept its strongest liquor in a locked cabinet behind the counter."
"He does not touch liquor, and prefers a cup of tea."
"The bar was well stocked with imported liquor."
How to use liquor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStrong distilled alcohol, as opposed to beer or wine.
UK vs US
In American English, "liquor store" is standard; British English tends to say "off-licence."
Common pairings
hard liquor
liquor store
liquor license
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Word forms
- Plural
- liquors
- Third person singular
- liquors
- Past tense
- liquored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shop kept its strongest _____ in a locked cabinet behind the counter.
Etymology
From Latin liquor ("fluid, liquid"), from liquere ("to be liquid"). A doublet of liqueur.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “liquor” mean?
The word “liquor” means a strong distilled alcoholic drink, such as whisky, vodka, or gin. In plain terms, strong distilled alcohol, as opposed to beer or wine.
How do you pronounce “liquor”?
“Liquor” is pronounced LIHK-uh (/ˈlɪk.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “liquor” in a sentence?
Here is “liquor” used in a sentence: “The bar was well stocked with imported liquor.”
What part of speech is “liquor”?
“Liquor” is a noun.
Where does the word “liquor” come from?
The word “liquor” comes from Latin. From Latin liquor ("fluid, liquid"), from liquere ("to be liquid"). A doublet of liqueur.
Is “liquor” a common word?
“Liquor” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between liquor and liqueur?
Liquor is a strong distilled alcoholic drink such as whisky, vodka, or gin, drunk neat or in cocktails. A liqueur is a sweetened, flavoured alcoholic drink, usually served in small measures after dinner. The words look alike but refer to different products and are pronounced differently.
Are beer and wine considered liquor?
No. Liquor refers specifically to strong distilled drinks such as whisky, vodka, and gin. Beer and wine are made by fermentation without distillation, so they are alcoholic drinks but not liquor.
What is the difference between liquor and spirits?
They mean the same thing: a strong distilled alcoholic drink. Spirits is the more usual term in British English, while liquor is the everyday word in American English, which is why shops in the US are called liquor stores.
What counts as hard liquor?
Hard liquor is an informal term for distilled drinks with a high alcohol content, such as whisky, vodka, rum, and gin. The word hard distinguishes them from fermented drinks like beer, wine, and cider, which are much lower in alcohol. In practice, hard liquor, liquor, and spirits all cover the same drinks.
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