brandy

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For this sense, brandy names one particular strong drink, usually made by distilling wine or other fruit. Spirit is wider: it can mean brandy, whisky, gin, vodka, or another strong alcoholic drink. Liquor is similar to spirit, but it is especially common in American English. Cognac is not another general word for brandy; it is a more specific type from the Cognac region of France, so every cognac is brandy, but not every brandy is cognac. If a recipe says add brandy, do not replace it with any spirit. If a shop sign says spirits or liquor, brandy is only one choice inside that larger group.

Common collocations

Etymology

English brandy comes from Dutch brandewijn, which meant "burnt wine." The older phrase referred to wine that had been heated in distillation to make a stronger drink. English first used a longer form, brandywine, and later shortened it to brandy.