# cola

/ˈkoʊɫə/ (US) · /kˈəʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cola
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. soft drink

noun · CEFR A2

a sweet, dark brown drink with bubbles.

For teachers: a carbonated soft drink typically flavoured with vanilla, cinnamon, citrus oils, and other aromatics.

- I ordered a burger and a cold cola at the restaurant.
- The global market for cola remains dominated by a few major brands, despite the rise of artisanal and health-conscious alternatives.

### 2. the plant or nut

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a nut from a tropical tree that contains caffeine.

For teachers: the seed or nut of the kola tree, used as a flavouring agent and a source of caffeine.

- The original recipe for the drink used real cola nuts for flavour.
- Extracts from the cola nut were historically valued for their stimulant properties before synthetic alternatives became standard in the beverage industry.

## Examples

- I would like a glass of cola with ice.
- The restaurant serves several different brands of cola, including a sugar-free version for health-conscious customers.
- While the recipe for the world's most famous cola remains a closely guarded secret, the beverage's global ubiquity has made it a symbol of modern consumer culture.

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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.