beverage

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For this sense, 'beverage' is a broad and slightly formal word for something you drink. 'Drink' is the normal everyday choice and works in almost all situations, especially in speech. 'Refreshment' is more formal and often appears in notices about food and drink offered at meetings, hotels, or events; it can also include light food. 'Liquid' is much broader and more technical, because many liquids are not for drinking at all. So a cafe menu may list hot beverages, while a child more naturally says, 'Can I have a drink?' If a sign says no outside beverages, it means no drinks brought in from elsewhere.

Common collocations

Etymology

Beverage came into English from Old French 'bevrage', which meant something to drink. That French form grew from a verb meaning 'drink', and the older root goes back to Latin 'bibere', also meaning 'drink'.