# lemonade

/ˈɫɛməˈneɪd/ (US) · /lˌɛmənˈeɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. still fruit drink

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a drink made of lemon juice, water, and sugar, usually served cold without bubbles.

For teachers: a non-carbonated beverage consisting of lemon juice, water, and a sweetener. Often referred to as 'still' or 'cloudy' lemonade in British English to distinguish it from the carbonated variety.

- The children set up a stand to sell cold lemonade on a hot summer afternoon.
- Freshly squeezed lemonade, balanced with just enough cane sugar to offset the acidity, remains a staple refreshment at outdoor gatherings in the United States.

### 2. carbonated soft drink

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a clear, sweet drink with bubbles that tastes like lemon.

For teachers: a clear, carbonated soft drink flavoured with lemon or artificial lemon essence. This is the primary meaning in British, Australian, and New Zealand English.

- He ordered a pint of beer with a splash of lemonade to make a shandy.
- In the United Kingdom, ordering a lemonade at a pub will invariably result in a clear, fizzy beverage rather than the juice-based drink found in North America.

### 3. weak drugs

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal · Vulgar

a slang word for illegal drugs that are very weak or of bad quality.

For teachers: a derogatory slang term for recreational drugs, particularly heroin, that are of poor quality or have been heavily diluted.

- The dealer was known for selling lemonade, so nobody wanted to buy from him.
- The street-level users avoided that specific corner after word spread that the latest batch was nothing but lemonade.

## Examples

- I always drink cold lemonade on a hot day.
- The children set up a small stand on the corner to sell fresh lemonade to their neighbors.

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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.