liquor

American  

[lik-er, lik-wawr] / ˈlɪk ər, ˈlɪk wɔr /

noun

1. a distilled or spirituous beverage, as brandy or whiskey, as distinguished from a fermented beverage, as wine or beer.

2. any liquid substance, as broth from cooked meats or vegetables.

   Synonyms:

   juice

3. Pharmacology. solution.

4. a solution of a substance, especially a concentrated one used in the industrial arts.

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verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to furnish or ply with liquor to drink (often followed byup ).

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to drink large quantities of liquor (often followed byup ).

liquor British  

/ ˈlɪkə /

noun

1. any alcoholic drink, esp spirits, or such drinks collectively

2. any liquid substance, esp that in which food has been cooked

3. pharmacol a solution of a pure substance in water

4. brewing warm water added to malt to form wort

5. drunk; intoxicated

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verb

1. brewing to steep (malt) in warm water to form wort; mash

Other Word Forms

• antiliquor
  adjective
• liquory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of liquor

1175–1225; < Latin: a liquid, originally liquidity ( liqu ( ēre ) to be liquid + -or -or ¹ ); replacing Middle English lic ( o ) ur < Old French ( French liqueur ) < Latin liquōrem, accusative of liquor

Example Sentences

One of the biggest crises the company faced was Prohibition, when liquor was outlawed and distilleries in America were forced to close.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

The southern island province became a duty-free magnet, packed with luxury storefronts, giant malls and travelers loading up on cosmetics, handbags and liquor instead of flying to Seoul, Tokyo or Paris.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Police in India told CalMatters that the gangs often target “real estate developers, liquor contractors, transporters, and local businessmen” — people with higher incomes or assets.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Once China’s most popular liquor brand, Moutai’s appeal has been waning as consumers become more cautious with their spending amid a cooling economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The police routinely arrested masses of people for pass violations, possession of liquor, and failure to pay the poll tax.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• alcohol
• booze
• whiskey