pint
pynt
Pint (noun) means a unit of liquid measure equal to an eighth of a gallon (roughly 568 ml in the UK, 473 ml in the US). Example: “He ordered a pint of lager at the pub.”
noun
1
A unit of liquid measure equal to an eighth of a gallon (roughly 568 ml in the UK, 473 ml in the US).
"He ordered a pint of lager at the pub."
"The recipe calls for a pint of cream."
"Add a pint of milk to the pan and stir gently."
How to use pint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA standard measure of liquid — most commonly heard when ordering beer in the UK.
UK vs US
A UK (imperial) pint is larger than a US pint — about 20% more liquid.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a pint of beer
down the pub for a pint
a pint of milk
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Word forms
- Plural
- pints
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He ordered a _____ of lager at the pub.
Etymology
From Old French pinte, likely from Vulgar Latin pincta, "a mark used to show a measured level."
Synonyms
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dry pint
Rhymes for pint
See all rhymes for pint →Frequently asked questions
What does “pint” mean?
The word “pint” means a unit of liquid measure equal to an eighth of a gallon (roughly 568 ml in the UK, 473 ml in the US). In plain terms, a standard measure of liquid — most commonly heard when ordering beer in the UK.
How do you pronounce “pint”?
“Pint” is pronounced pynt (/paɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pint” in a sentence?
Here is “pint” used in a sentence: “He ordered a pint of lager at the pub.”
What part of speech is “pint”?
“Pint” is a noun.
Where does the word “pint” come from?
The word “pint” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French pinte, likely from Vulgar Latin pincta, "a mark used to show a measured level.".
Is “pint” a common word?
“Pint” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
Is a pint the same size in the UK and the US?
No. A UK (imperial) pint is about 568 ml, while a US pint is smaller at about 473 ml. This difference matters most for beer, milk, and cooking measurements, since a US recipe pint holds noticeably less than a UK pub pint.
What is the difference between a pint and a gallon?
A pint is a smaller unit equal to an eighth of a gallon. It takes eight pints to make one gallon, so pints are typically used for smaller quantities like a serving of beer or milk, while gallons measure larger volumes such as fuel or bulk liquids.
Why do people say "a pint" to mean a beer?
In everyday British and Irish speech, "a pint" is shorthand for a pint glass of beer, since that is the standard serving size in pubs. Saying "fancy a pint?" is understood as an invitation for a beer rather than a literal measurement request.
