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View synonyms for cocktail

cocktail

1

[kok-teyl]

noun

  1. any of various mixed drinks, consisting typically of gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, or brandy, with different admixtures, as vermouth, fruit juices, or flavorings, usually chilled and frequently sweetened.

  2. a portion of food, as seafood served with a sauce or a mixture of fruits cut into pieces, served as an appetizer or first course.

    a shrimp cocktail;

    a fruit cocktail.

  3. a mixture of various drugs usually a beverage or solution.

    a liquid drug cocktail for terminal patients;

    a cocktail of pills taken twice a day.

  4. any diverse mixture of elements, especially one with a powerful effect.

    an impressive cocktail of skills and experiences.



verb (used without object)

  1. to drink cocktails, especially at a cocktail party.

    They cocktailed before going to the theater.

adjective

  1. (of women's clothing) styled for semiformal wear.

    a knee-length cocktail dress.

  2. of, pertaining to, used in, or suitable to the serving of cocktails.

    cocktail onions;

    cocktail napkins.

cocktail

2

[kok-teyl]

noun

  1. a horse with a docked tail.

  2. a horse that is not a thoroughbred.

  3. a man of little breeding who passes for a gentleman.

cocktail

1

/ ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

noun

    1. any mixed drink with a spirit base, usually drunk before meals

    2. ( as modifier )

      the cocktail hour

  1. an appetizer of seafood, mixed fruits, etc

  2. any combination of diverse elements, esp one considered potent

  3. (modifier) appropriate for formal occasions

    a cocktail dress

“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

cocktail

2

/ ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

noun

  1. a horse with a docked tail

  2. an animal of unknown or mixed breeding

  3. archaic,  a person of little breeding pretending to be a gentleman

“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cocktail1

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10; origin obscure; none of numerous attempts to explain the origin of this word or its relationship to cocktail 2 have won general acceptance

Origin of cocktail2

First recorded in 1750–60; cock 2 + tail 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cocktail1

C19: of unknown origin

Origin of cocktail2

C19: originally cocktailed (adj) having a tail like a cock's
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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.

A man admitted Wednesday that he lit a Molotov cocktail and threw it toward Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies during protests against immigration crackdowns over the summer.

My late grandmother, in particular, had a predictable, beloved spread: shrimp cocktail with horseradish-laced sauce; the supermarket veggie platter with ranch; crockpot meatballs simmered in barbecue sauce and grape jelly; salsa with Tostito’s scoops.

From Salon

Carolina Jaramillo said the convoy - which included UN and EU diplomats - was delivering aid to affected communities during a national strike when ambushed by about 350 people, who attacked it with Molotov cocktails.

From BBC

Yet, Paul Thomas Anderson’s fun and fizzy adaptation views its Molotov cocktail as half-full.

The following month, a man threw Molotov cocktails at a group of people in Boulder, Colo. while they demonstrated for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

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