eggnog

American

[eg-nog] / ˈɛgˌnɒg /

noun

a drink made of eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and, usually, rum or wine.

eggnog British

/ ˌɛɡˈnɒɡ /

noun

Also called: egg flip. a drink that can be served hot or cold, made of eggs, milk, sugar, spice, and brandy, rum, or other spirit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of eggnog

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; egg ¹ + nog ¹

Vocabulary lists containing eggnog

Ben Zimmer's 30 Great American Words

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The geniuses of Wall Street have eggnog all over their highly paid faces this Christmas, yet again, after most of their big financial predictions for the year turned out wrong.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 26, 2025

Did they spike the eggnog over there at WSJ?

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

The end of the year marks the return of eggnog and latkes, gifting and regifting — and holiday-themed shows to bask in tradition, communal spirit and, yes, fun.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2024

It’s long been a Southern California tradition for Chinese families with no appetite for turkey or eggnog to instead spend the holidays in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2024

Breakfast was eggnog and hot tea and cookies and carols and colored lights and love.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023