# drink

/ˈdɹɪŋk/ (US) · /dɹˈɪŋk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drink
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to swallow liquid

verb · CEFR A1

to take liquid into your mouth and swallow it.

For teachers: to ingest a liquid through the mouth; functions as both a transitive and intransitive verb.

- You should drink plenty of water when the weather is hot.
- The marathon runners paused briefly at the hydration station to drink small amounts of electrolyte-enriched water before continuing the race.

### 2. to consume alcohol

verb · CEFR A2

to drink alcohol, especially regularly or in large amounts.

For teachers: to consume alcoholic beverages, often implying habitual or excessive use when used without a direct object.

- He doesn't drink because he has to drive everyone home later.
- Although the social event provided an open bar, several guests chose not to drink for personal or health reasons.

### 4. an alcoholic beverage

noun · CEFR A2

a portion of alcohol, or alcohol in general.

For teachers: a serving of an alcoholic beverage; also used uncountably to refer to alcohol as a social concept.

- They went out for a drink after work to celebrate the new contract.
- The host offered his guests a drink from his private collection of vintage whiskies to mark the occasion.

### 5. the sea or a lake

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a large body of water, like the ocean.

For teachers: a colloquial reference to a large body of water, such as the sea or a river, often used when someone falls in.

- The sailor slipped on the wet deck and fell right into the drink.
- The small aircraft suffered engine failure and was forced to ditch into the drink just a few miles off the coast.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific idiom, usually used with 'the'. It is almost always used when someone or something falls into the water accidentally.

## Examples

- Would you like a cold drink?
- After the long hike, everyone was grateful for a refreshing drink of water from the fountain.
- The host offered a wide selection of drinks, ranging from artisanal sodas to vintage wines, ensuring every guest found something suitable for the toast.

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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.