cocktail
1 Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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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.
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any diverse mixture of elements, especially one with a powerful effect.
an impressive cocktail of skills and experiences.
verb (used without object)
adjective
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(of women's clothing) styled for semiformal wear.
a knee-length cocktail dress.
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of, pertaining to, used in, or suitable to the serving of cocktails.
cocktail onions;
cocktail napkins.
noun
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a horse with a docked tail.
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a horse that is not a thoroughbred.
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a man of little breeding who passes for a gentleman.
noun
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any mixed drink with a spirit base, usually drunk before meals
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( as modifier )
the cocktail hour
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an appetizer of seafood, mixed fruits, etc
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any combination of diverse elements, esp one considered potent
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(modifier) appropriate for formal occasions
a cocktail dress
noun
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a horse with a docked tail
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an animal of unknown or mixed breeding
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archaic a person of little breeding pretending to be a gentleman
Etymology
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
Explanation
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that’s usually served in a short glass. If you have too many cocktails, you may not find your way home. A cocktail will usually contain some type of hard liquor — such as gin or whiskey — mixed with something else. For example, a screwdriver cocktail is vodka mixed with orange juice. Many cocktails are mixed with some type of fruit juice, which hides the alcohol's taste. The word is also used as an adjective to describe things associated with these popular beverages. You might, for example, buy a new cocktail party dress to wear to an upcoming cocktail party. How smashing!
Vocabulary lists containing cocktail
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.
Top among them are the United States, where Americans on both coasts enjoy the cocktail hour staple -- but whose interior has yet to be seduced by the spritz.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
The British pub had prepared for months, buying televisions, modifying seating, hiring staff and creating a World Cup cocktail menu.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Add to this the sugar-hit snacking that keeps some shift workers going overnight and it makes for an extremely unhealthy cocktail.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
One man was summarily expelled after he posted a shot of Baby Guinness, a coffee-liqueur cocktail that looks like a stout but has no actual beer in it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
“A cocktail party,” Mama repeats with an even worse British accent.
From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
