# moonshine

/ˈmunˌʃaɪn/ (US) · /mˈuːnʃaɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/moonshine
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a strong, illegal type of alcohol that is often made at home. It is usually clear and has a very strong taste.

For teachers: an illicitly distilled spirit, typically a high-proof grain alcohol produced in a clandestine manner. Often used metaphorically to describe a false or misleading idea.

## Examples

- The old man drank moonshine in the back of his cabin.
- During the Prohibition era, many families in the mountains made moonshine to survive and sell to local bars.
- The politician's speech was nothing more than moonshine, a collection of empty promises designed to distract the public from the real economic crisis.

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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.