# champagne

/ʃæmˈpeɪn/ (US) · /ʃæmpˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/champagne
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sparkling wine

noun · CEFR B1

a French white wine with bubbles, often drunk at parties or weddings to celebrate something special.

For teachers: a sparkling white wine produced in the Champagne region of France according to specific quality standards.

- We opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate her new job.
- The guests toasted the couple with vintage champagne served in elegant crystal flutes.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the liquid; countable when referring to a specific bottle or glass.

### 2. a glass of wine

noun · CEFR B1

a single glass of champagne.

For teachers: a metonymic use referring to a single serving or glass of the wine.

- Would you like a champagne before we sit down for dinner?
- The waiter circulated through the gallery offering a champagne to each attendee as they arrived.

### 3. a colour

noun · CEFR B2

a very light brownish-gold colour, like the wine.

For teachers: a pale, yellowish-beige or brownish-gold colour resembling the appearance of the wine.

- The walls of the bedroom were painted a soft champagne.
- The interior designer suggested champagne for the upholstery to maintain a neutral yet sophisticated palette.

### 4. colour description

adjective · CEFR B2

having a very light brownish-gold colour.

For teachers: denoting a pale brownish-gold colour; typically used in fashion or interior design contexts.

- She wore a beautiful champagne dress to the awards ceremony.
- The bride chose a champagne silk for her bridesmaids' gowns rather than a traditional bright white.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun.

### 5. to drink or serve wine

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Informal

to drink champagne or to serve it to someone else.

For teachers: to consume champagne or to provide it to others, often in a social or celebratory context.

- They spent the whole evening champagning at the rooftop bar.
- The hosts proceeded to champagne their guests throughout the gala, ensuring no glass remained empty for long.

Usage: Can be used transitively (to champagne someone) or intransitively.

## Examples

- We opened a bottle of Champagne to celebrate her promotion.
- The waiters circulated through the ballroom, offering guests chilled glasses of Champagne as they arrived for the wedding reception.
- While many regions produce high-quality sparkling wines using the traditional method, only those grown and bottled within the specific chalky soils of Champagne may legally carry the name.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.