English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

ouzo

OO-zoh

Ouzo (noun) means a clear, anise-flavoured Greek liqueur, usually drunk as an aperitif. Example: “They ordered a bottle of ouzo to share before dinner.”

noun
1
A clear, anise-flavoured Greek liqueur, usually drunk as an aperitif.
"They ordered a bottle of ouzo to share before dinner."
"Ouzo turns cloudy white when you add water or ice."
2
A single glass or shot of this drink.
"He knocked back an ouzo and asked for another."

How to use ouzo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA strong, licorice-tasting Greek spirit, often served with water or ice as a starter drink.

Common pairings
a glass of ouzo sip ouzo ouzo and water

Word forms

ouzos plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “ouzo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They ordered a bottle of _____ to share before dinner.

Etymology

From Greek ούζο (oúzo); the origin is debated, with theories linking it to a Turkish word for grape and to an Italian export stamp reading "for use in Marseille."

Origin: Italian

Frequently asked questions

What does “ouzo” mean?

The word “ouzo” means a clear, anise-flavoured Greek liqueur, usually drunk as an aperitif. In plain terms, a strong, licorice-tasting Greek spirit, often served with water or ice as a starter drink.

How do you pronounce “ouzo”?

“Ouzo” is pronounced OO-zoh (/ˈuzoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “ouzo” in a sentence?

Here is “ouzo” used in a sentence: “They ordered a bottle of ouzo to share before dinner.”

What part of speech is “ouzo”?

“Ouzo” is a noun.

Where does the word “ouzo” come from?

The word “ouzo” comes from Italian. From Greek ούζο (oúzo); the origin is debated, with theories linking it to a Turkish word for grape and to an Italian export stamp reading "for use in Marseille.".

How many meanings does “ouzo” have?

“Ouzo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a clear, anise-flavoured Greek liqueur, usually drunk as an aperitif.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial