liquor

liquor — noun

1. a strong alcoholic drink made by distilling a fermented grain or fruit mash — su

1.nounB1
Definition

a strong alcoholic drink made by distilling a fermented grain or fruit mash — such as whisky, vodka, gin, or rum — typically drunk in small servings, often mixed with other beverages or served over ice.

Example

Tariro bought whisky, rum, and other liquor for the party at the new store.

liquor as category alongside specific whisky and rum

The bar served beer, wine, and hard liquor at separate counters.

collocation: hard liquor = distilled spirits

Common collocations
  • hard liquor
  • liquor store
  • liquor cabinet
  • liquor license
  • a shot of liquor
Synonyms
  • spirits

    more common in British English; refers specifically to distilled alcohol

  • alcohol

    broader term that includes beer, wine, and any drink containing ethanol

  • booze

    informal term for any alcoholic drink, not just distilled types

Grammar Patterns

liquor (uncountable)

Usage Note

Frequently paired with modifiers specifying type: 'hard liquor' for distilled spirits as distinct from beer or wine. In US English, 'liquor' almost always refers to distilled alcohol; in UK English, 'spirits' is more common for this sense.

Common Mistakes

I bought a liquor at the store.
I bought a bottle of liquor at the store.
liquor is uncountable; use a container or type to count it.
She ordered a liquor and a beer.
She ordered a whisky and a beer.
name the specific drink rather than the general category.

2. the flavourful liquid left in a pan or pot after cooking meat, vegetables, or le

2.nounB2
Definition

the flavourful liquid left in a pan or pot after cooking meat, vegetables, or legumes — often used as a base for soups, stews, or sauces rather than being thrown away.

Example

Rachel saved the liquor from the ham to make a bean soup the next day.

liquor from [food] for reuse

The pot liquor from the collard greens was rich and slightly salty.

pot liquor = cooking liquid from greens

Common collocations
  • pot liquor
  • cooking liquor
  • liquor from [meat/beans]
Synonyms
  • broth

    usually refers to a prepared soup base rather than leftover cooking liquid

  • stock

    a liquid made by simmering bones or vegetables, typically intentional rather than leftover

  • pot liquor

    the exact Southern US term for this sense; also written 'potlikker'

Grammar Patterns

the liquor from [food]

Usage Note

Often called 'pot liquor' or 'potlikker' in Southern US cooking. The term distinguishes the seasoned cooking liquid from plain water or stock. Usually uncountable, but a specific instance can be referred to as 'the liquor'.

Common Mistakes

I drank the liquor from the chicken.' (ambiguous — could mean alcoholic drink)
I used the cooking liquid from the chicken to make soup.
for this sense, specify 'cooking liquor' or 'pot liquor' to avoid confusion with the alcoholic-drink sense.

liquor — verb

Word family

  • liquored
    adjectiveC2
  • liquorish
    adjectiveC2
  • liquorous
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to alcoholic drinks, but they differ in scope and register. 'Liquor' (American English) and 'spirits' (British English) both refer specifically to distilled drinks such as whisky, vodka, and gin — never to beer or wine. 'Alcohol' is the broadest term, covering every drink that contains ethanol, and is also used scientifically (e.g., 'rubbing alcohol'). 'Booze' is an informal umbrella term for any alcoholic drink, used casually in conversation ('Let's grab some booze'). In a liquor store you buy spirits; at a party someone might say 'bring your own booze.' If a doctor asks about your 'alcohol intake,' they include beer and wine — not just distilled drinks.

liquor ↗spiritsalcohol ↗booze

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • hard liquor
  • pot liquor

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'liquor' comes from Latin 'liquor' meaning 'fluidity' or 'a liquid,' from the verb 'liquēre' meaning 'to be fluid or clear.' It passed into Old French as 'licor' and then into Middle English, where it originally referred to any liquid substance. The narrowing to 'distilled alcoholic drink' happened gradually from the 16th century onward, while the cooking-liquid sense preserved the original broader meaning. The verb senses (to treat leather, to make drunk, to drink excessively) all developed from the noun in the 17th-19th centuries.