milkshake

American  

[milk-sheyk] / ˈmɪlkˌʃeɪk /

Or milk shake

noun

1. a frothy drink made of cold milk, flavoring, and usually ice cream, shaken together or blended in a mixer.

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Etymology

Origin of milkshake

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; milk ( def. ) + shake ( def. )

Explanation

A milkshake is a sweet, cold drink made with ice cream. If you want a dessert you can slurp through a straw, you should consider a milkshake. Milkshakes are traditionally made with ice cream, milk, and flavored syrups like chocolate or strawberry, although there are infinite variations. You might prefer frozen yogurt or non-dairy ice cream, or an extra-thick milkshake made without milk. In New England, this sweet treat is often called a "frappe," although if it's coffee-flavored and you're in Rhode Island, it's a "coffee cabinet." Milkshake was first used in the 1880s, when it referred to an adult beverage made with whiskey.

Example Sentences

Or the sticker shock of a $5 milkshake or the Big Arch, which can set you back as much as $12.99.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Addison Rae slides into a booth at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank and orders — what else? — black coffee and a chocolate milkshake.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

Engaging with your favorite store these days can involve tracking rewards points in a spreadsheet to determine how to get the maximum value or playing mini games in an app to win a free milkshake.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025

The chancellor has announced her Budget which includes a freeze to income taxthresholds, a rise in minimum wages and a so-called milkshake tax.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Calvin about loses his banana milkshake out his nose.

From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor