Kool-Aid

American

[kool-eyd] / ˈkulˌeɪd /

Trademark.

a brand name for a powdered mix used to make a sugary, fruit-flavored drink.

noun

a drink made from this mix.

idioms

drink the Kool-Aid, to support or believe in something in a blindly enthusiastic way.

A level-headed reporter, he didn’t drink the Kool-Aid on the tax issue.

Etymology

Origin of Kool-Aid

Kool-Aid def. 3 in reference to the 1978 Jonestown Massacre, in which a cult leader supposedly convinced followers to drink a poisoned beverage

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.

Kraft Heinz, known for Heinz Ketchup, Kraft Mac and Cheese, Jell-O and Kool-Aid brands, reported a year-over-year sales decline for the ninth straight quarter, as sales in North America offset continued growth in overseas markets.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

With billions of dollars at stake, they just couldn’t overcome the temptation to drink their own Kool-Aid.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2026

Bowling coach Jeetan Patel was drinking the Kool-Aid when it was put to him Bashir had become unselectable during the third Test in Adelaide.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

She also tried to get her “All’s Fair” co-star Sarah Paulson to drink the Kool-Aid.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Dakota took a quick swig of Kool-Aid from his travel flask.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

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