concoction
Americannoun
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the act or process of concocting.
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something concocted.
a delicious concoction of beans, rice, and meat.
noun
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the act or process of concocting
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something concocted
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an untruth; lie
Etymology
Origin of concoction
1525–35; < Latin concoctiōn- (stem of concoctiō ) digestion, equivalent to concoct ( us ) ( concoct ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
A concoction is a curious mixture of things, like a bunch of liquids stirred in a cup, or the elaborate and unbelievable story you make up to explain not finishing your homework. Mix eight different liquids in a glass and you've got a concoction. Scientists create concoctions of chemicals in test tubes, and a bicycle made of junkyard scraps is a concoction too. The word’s Latin root means “cooked together,” referring to when you heat metals in order to purify them. A concoction is also a tall tale told to get out of trouble or entertain someone. If your story has ostriches, trampolines, lasers, and Abraham Lincoln, it’s probably a concoction.
Vocabulary lists containing concoction
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 3
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The Hate U Give
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
They didn’t know their chocolate-hazelnut concoction was aboard Orion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
But domestically, factories and shopkeepers have to contend with a concoction of issues, including persistently weak consumer spending and tighter safety regulations.
From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026
On top of all this, Kincaid appears to have played a role in the concoction of the DOJ letter itself.
From Slate • Nov. 20, 2025
After all, Papa laid claim to debuting this concoction in the East on this very spot.
From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025
Now, as I sipped my Orange Fusion concoction, I felt several sets of eyes studying me.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
