Word
ale
US/ˈeɪɫ/
UK/ˈeɪl/
Definitions
01type of beer
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a type of beer that is brewed quickly at warm temperatures, often tasting fruity or bitter.
n. a fermented malt beverage produced through warm fermentation with top-fermenting yeast.
“The pub serves several local ales that are very popular with the villagers.”
“While lagers dominate the global market, traditional ales remain a staple of British pub culture due to their diverse range of flavours and textures.”
Usage
Often used as a countable noun when referring to a specific variety or glass of the drink.
Antonyms
02historical festival
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · British English
n. a country festival or party in old England where people drank a lot of beer.
n. a rural festival or merrymaking event in historical England, named after the primary beverage consumed there.
“The village held a church ale every spring to raise money for repairs.”
“Historical records suggest that the 'Whitsun ale' was a vital social event for the medieval peasantry, combining religious observance with communal celebration.”
Teaching tip
This sense is archaic; modern learners will almost exclusively encounter 'ale' as a type of beverage.
Real-World Examples
“Riddell-Carpenter had said: "It'll be that warm ale, a black Labrador by your feet in a pub that doesn't exist, and with symbolism of fox hunting all around them.” Etymology
From Middle English ale, from Old English ealu, ealo, from Proto-West Germanic alu, from Proto-Germanic alu (compare Dutch aal, Swedish öl), from Proto-Indo-European h₂elut- (“beer”), or h₂elu- (“bitter”). Compare Russian ол (ol), Lithuanian alùs, Armenian օղի (ōġi); compare also Latin alum (“comfrey”), alūta (“tawed leather”), Ancient Greek ἀλύδοιμος (alúdoimos, “bitter”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. Adam's ale
02. cakes and ale
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ale