ENGLISH
REFERENCE

whiskey

n.
US //ˈhwɪski// UK //wˈɪski// whiskey
  1. 1 alcoholic spirit (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a strong alcoholic drink made from grains like rye, corn, or barley.

    a potent spirit distilled from the fermented mash of various grains, typically aged in wooden casks.

    Example

    He poured a little whiskey into his glass and added a single ice cube.

    Example

    The distillery produces a premium whiskey that is aged for twelve years in charred oak barrels to develop its distinct smoky flavour.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the liquid in general.

    Teacher's tip

    Note the spelling: 'whiskey' is standard in Ireland and the US, while 'whisky' is used in Scotland and Canada.
  2. 2 a single drink (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    one glass or serving of whiskey.

    an individual serving or measure of whiskey.

    Example

    The man at the bar ordered two whiskeys for himself and his friend.

    Example

    After a long day in the cold, the hikers stopped at a local pub and ordered a round of whiskeys to warm up.

    Usage

    Countable in this sense.
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  1. 3 a horse carriage (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    a light, fast carriage pulled by one horse, used in the past.

    a light, two-wheeled carriage designed for speed and drawn by a single horse.

    Example

    The young gentleman drove his whiskey through the park at a dangerous speed.

    Example

    In the nineteenth-century novel, the protagonist arrives at the estate in a fashionable whiskey, much to the surprise of the local villagers.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is extremely rare in modern English and is only found in historical literature.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *wed- Proto-Indo-European *-r̥ Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥der. Proto-Celtic *udenskyos Old Irish uisce Irish uisce Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃- Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *gʷih₃wós Proto-Celtic *biwos Proto-Celtic *-tūts Proto-Celtic *biwotūts Old Irish bethu Irish beatha Medieval Latin aqua vītaecalq. Irish uisce beathabor. ▲ Old Irish uisce Scottish Gaelic uisge ▲ Old Irish bethu Scottish Gaelic beatha Medieval Latin aqua vītaecalq. Scottish Gaelic uisge-beathabor. English usquebaugh English usque English whiskey Variant of usque, abbreviation of usquebaugh, from Irish uisce beatha, calque of Medieval Latin aqua vītae (“water of life”). Compare akvavit, aquavit, aqua vitae, eau de vie, and water of life from the same source and vodka from a Russian diminutive for water in reference to the dilution of pure grain spirits.

Etymology 2

From whisk + -ey.

Idioms1 entry

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