whiskey

whiskey — noun

1. A strong alcoholic drink made by fermenting and distilling grains such as barley

1.nounB1
Definition

A strong alcoholic drink made by fermenting and distilling grains such as barley, corn, or rye. It is usually pale brown and is produced in many countries, with Scotland, Ireland, and the United States being especially well known for it.

Example

Sayaka poured herself a small glass of whiskey after finishing her exams.

uncountable: a glass of + whiskey

The distillery where Christopher works has been producing whiskey since 1875.

Common collocations
  • Irish whiskey
  • Scotch whisky
  • bourbon whiskey
  • rye whiskey
  • single malt whiskey
  • blended whiskey
  • to make whiskey
  • to distill whiskey
  • to age whiskey
  • to drink whiskey
  • a glass of whiskey
  • a bottle of whiskey
  • a shot of whiskey
Synonyms
  • spirits

    more general term used especially in British English; includes gin, vodka, rum, and other distilled drinks

  • liquor

    more general term used in American English for any strong alcoholic drink

  • Scotch

    specifically refers to whiskey made in Scotland, usually spelled whisky

  • bourbon

    specifically refers to American whiskey made mostly from corn

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun used without article

a glass/bottle/shot of + whiskey

Usage Note

Whiskey is usually uncountable when referring to the drink in general (I enjoy whiskey). For a single serving, use the countable form (a whiskey / two whiskeys). Note the spelling difference: whisky (without e) is standard for Scottish and Canadian spirits, while whiskey (with e) is standard for Irish and American spirits.

Common Mistakes

I ordered two whisky at the bar.
I ordered two whiskeys at the bar.
When ordering servings, use the plural form whiskeys with an -s.
This is a good Scotch whiskey.
This is a good Scotch whisky.
Scottish spirits are spelled whisky, not whiskey.

2. A single serving of whiskey, usually poured into a glass and drunk alone or with

2.nounB1
Definition

A single serving of whiskey, usually poured into a glass and drunk alone or with ice or water.

Example

Asher ordered two whiskeys and carried them carefully back to the table.

countable: two whiskeys = two servings

Nellie asked the bartender for another whiskey, then decided to switch to water instead.

Common collocations
  • to order a whiskey
  • to have a whiskey
  • another whiskey
  • two whiskeys
  • a whiskey on the rocks
  • a whiskey neat
  • a whiskey with water
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a + whiskey

number + whiskeys

Usage Note

This countable sense is almost always used when ordering, offering, or pouring drinks (Could I have a whiskey? / He ordered three whiskeys). It refers to the portion in the glass, not the drink as a substance.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Whiskey is one specific type of alcoholic drink, but English has several related words that learners often confuse. Spirits (used mainly in British English) and liquor (used mainly in American English) are umbrella terms that include whiskey along with gin, vodka, rum, and other distilled drinks — if you say 'I don't drink spirits,' that includes whiskey too. Scotch refers specifically to whiskey made in Scotland (usually spelled whisky), and has a smoky flavour that sets it apart from other whiskeys. Bourbon is a type of American whiskey made primarily from corn, with a sweeter, fuller taste than Scotch or Irish whiskey. For example: 'She ordered a bourbon on the rocks' means a specific kind of whiskey, while 'She ordered a glass of liquor' could be almost anything.

spirits ↗liquor ↗Scotchbourbon ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

  • with (whiskey with water)
  • on (whiskey on ice)

Etymology

Irish GaelicScottish GaelicEnglish

The word whiskey comes from the Irish Gaelic phrase uisce beatha and the Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, both meaning 'water of life.' The word for 'water' — uisce or uisge — was shortened and anglicised to 'whisky' when the drink became known in England. The spelling 'whiskey' (with an e) became common in Ireland during the 19th century and was later adopted in the United States, while 'whisky' (without e) remained the preferred spelling in Scotland and Canada.