noun
wino
WEYE-noh
Wino (noun) means Informal, often disparaging: someone who drinks cheap wine or alcohol heavily and habitually, especially a homeless alcoholic. Example: “A wino was sleeping on the bench outside the station.”
noun
1
Informal, often disparaging: someone who drinks cheap wine or alcohol heavily and habitually, especially a homeless alcoholic.
"A wino was sleeping on the bench outside the station."
"I came out in an alley where a couple of winos were picking through a trash bin."
— Stephen King, 11/22/63 (2011)
2
Informal: a wine enthusiast.
"She calls herself a wino and has opinions about every bottle on the list."
How to use wino
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for a heavy wine drinker — the tone ranges from mocking (homeless drunk) to affectionate (wine lover), so context matters a lot.
When to use it
Very informal and can be derogatory when used for a homeless alcoholic; use carefully.
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Word forms
- Plural
- winos, winoes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ was sleeping on the bench outside the station.
Etymology
From wine plus the informal suffix -o, which marks a person defined by that trait (compare "weirdo").
Related words
Rhymes for wino
See all rhymes for wino →Frequently asked questions
What does “wino” mean?
The word “wino” means informal, often disparaging: someone who drinks cheap wine or alcohol heavily and habitually, especially a homeless alcoholic. In plain terms, slang for a heavy wine drinker — the tone ranges from mocking (homeless drunk) to affectionate (wine lover), so context matters a lot.
How do you pronounce “wino”?
“Wino” is pronounced WEYE-noh (/ˈwaɪnəʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wino” in a sentence?
Here is “wino” used in a sentence: “A wino was sleeping on the bench outside the station.”
What part of speech is “wino”?
“Wino” is a noun.
How many meanings does “wino” have?
“Wino” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal, often disparaging: someone who drinks cheap wine or alcohol heavily and habitually, especially a homeless alcoholic.
