geneva

IPA/dʒəˈniː.və/
KK[dʒənˈivə]IPA/dʒəˈniː.və/

geneva — noun

1. a major city in western Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Geneva and th

1.nounB1
Definition

a major city in western Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Geneva and the Rhône River, known as a global centre for diplomacy and international organisations.

Example

Talia moved to Geneva to work at the United Nations office.

preposition: moved to [city]

The Red Cross was founded in Geneva in the nineteenth century.

Common collocations
  • in Geneva
  • to Geneva
  • based in Geneva
  • the city of Geneva

Usage Note

Geneva is often referred to without the definite article ('in Geneva'), unlike some other city names ('the Hague'). It is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland after Zurich.

Common Mistakes

She lives in the Geneva.
She lives in Geneva.
city names in English generally do not take 'the'.

2. a traditional Dutch style of gin made from malted grains and flavoured with juni

2.nounC1
Definition

a traditional Dutch style of gin made from malted grains and flavoured with juniper berries, known for a richer, sweeter taste than London dry gin.

Example

The bartender poured a small glass of Geneva for the customer.

uncountable: a glass of Geneva

Geneva has a richer, maltier taste than most modern gins.

Common collocations
  • Dutch Geneva
  • a bottle of Geneva
  • a shot of Geneva
  • Geneva gin
Synonyms
  • jenever

    the original Dutch name for the same drink

  • Hollands gin

    another English name, referring to its Dutch origin

Antonyms

Usage Note

Not to be confused with the city. Geneva (the drink) is also called 'Hollands gin' or 'jenever'. It is often served chilled and neat, rather than mixed into cocktails.

Common Mistakes

I bought Geneva at the duty-free shop' (unclear, could mean the city).
I bought a bottle of Geneva gin at the duty-free shop.
adding 'gin' clarifies you mean the drink.
Idioms

the Canton of Geneva

idiom

one of the twenty-six cantons of Switzerland, located in the far southwest of the country, bordering France.

The Canton of Geneva has its own constitution and elected parliament.

Geneva is the second-smallest canton in Switzerland by land area.

the City of Geneva

idiom

the capital city of the Canton of Geneva, serving as the cantonal seat of government and a major international diplomatic centre.

The City of Geneva serves as both the cantonal capital and a global hub for diplomacy.

Élise works for the local government of the City of Geneva.

Word family

  • Genevan
    adjectiveC1
  • Genevan
    nounC1
  • Genevese
    adjectiveC2

Etymology

CelticLatinFrenchEnglish

The name of the Swiss city comes from the Latin Genava, which probably came from a Celtic word meaning 'bend' in reference to the curve of the Rhône River at the city's location. The name of the drink came separately from the Dutch word 'jenever', meaning 'juniper' (the berry used to flavour gin). Over time the English spelling of the drink converged with the well-known city name, but the two words have different historical roots.

First known use

1705

1705, in the meaning defined above