What does "juice" mean?

1. (fruit/vegetable liquid) the liquid that comes from fruit or vegetables. 2. (electricity) an informal word for electricity or power. 3. (power or influence) power, influence, or respect in a social or professional group. 4. (steroids) drugs that athletes sometimes use to make their muscles bigger or perform better. 5. (to extract liquid) to squeeze the liquid out of fruit or vegetables. 6. (to energize) to make something more exciting or powerful.

juice

n. · v.

US //ˈdʒus// UK //dʒˈuːs// juice

1 fruit/vegetable liquid (n.)
A1 Beginner Cooking

the liquid that comes from fruit or vegetables.

the liquid part of a plant, especially fruit or vegetables, obtained by squeezing or crushing.

Example

She drinks a glass of fresh orange juice every morning with breakfast.

Example

The chef recommended using the juice of a single lime to balance the richness of the coconut milk in the curry.
- extract
- nectar
2 electricity (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

an informal word for electricity or power.

electrical energy or power, particularly when used to operate a device or vehicle.

Example

My phone is almost dead; do you have a charger so I can get some juice?

Example

The electric car was running low on juice, so they had to find a high-speed charging station before continuing the mountain climb.

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3 power or influence (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Politics

power, influence, or respect in a social or professional group.

social or political influence; the ability to exert power or command respect within a specific hierarchy.

Example

He has a lot of juice at the record label and can get you an audition.

Example

In that city, you need a lobbyist with real juice if you want your development project to be approved by the council.
4 steroids (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Sport

drugs that athletes sometimes use to make their muscles bigger or perform better.

anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs used illegally in sports.

Example

The cyclist was stripped of his medals after testing positive for the juice.

Example

Rumours circulated that the heavyweight champion had been on the juice during his rapid physical transformation over the summer.
- steroids
- gear
5 to extract liquid (v.)
B1 Intermediate Cooking

to squeeze the liquid out of fruit or vegetables.

to extract the juice from fruit or vegetables, often using a machine.

Example

It is much cheaper to juice your own oranges than to buy bottled drinks.

Example

The health bar specializes in juicing organic kale and ginger for their signature wellness shots.
- squeeze
- extract
6 to energize (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

to make something more exciting or powerful.

to increase the power, excitement, or energy of something; often used with 'up'.

Example

The band played a fast song to juice up the crowd before the main event.

Example

The marketing team decided to juice up the campaign with celebrity endorsements to attract a younger demographic.
- dampen

Etymology 1

From Middle English jus, juis, from Old French jus, jous, from Latin jūs (“broth, soup, sauce”), from Proto-Indo-European yéwHs, from yewH- (“to mix (of meal preparation)”). Doublet of jus and ukha. In this sense, mostly displaced native Middle English sew (“juice”), from Old English sēaw (“juice, sap”) (> English sew (“juice, broth, gravy”)). Sense of "soft drink" most likely an ellipsis of fizzy juice, another similarly common term in Scotland.

Etymology 2

Dialectal spelling of Jew's, a particle of unclear origin. See Jew's harp for more.

Word family

Nounjuice
Adjectivejuicy

Idioms3 entries