# perry

/ˈpɛɹi/ (US) · /pˈɛɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/perry
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. pear cider

noun · CEFR C2 · British English

an alcoholic drink made from pears.

For teachers: a fermented alcoholic beverage made from the juice of pears, traditionally produced in parts of England, France, and Wales.

- We sat in the garden and shared a cold bottle of perry with our lunch.
- The local orchard specialises in traditional perry, using specific varieties of pears that are too bitter for eating but perfect for fermentation.

Usage: The noun is uncountable when referring to the liquid and countable when referring to a specific variety or glass.

Teaching tip: While often marketed as 'pear cider' in modern commercial contexts, 'perry' is the traditional term used by craft producers and in historical texts.

## Examples

- We shared a bottle of chilled perry with our lunch.
- The local pub is famous for its traditional perry, which is made from specific varieties of pears grown in the nearby orchards.
- While cider has achieved global commercial success, perry remains a more niche product, often celebrated by enthusiasts for its delicate floral notes and higher residual sugar content.

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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.