# whiskey

/ˈhwɪski/ (US) · /wˈɪski/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whiskey
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. alcoholic spirit

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

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

Teaching tip: Note the spelling: 'whiskey' is standard in Ireland and the US, while 'whisky' is used in Scotland and Canada.

### 2. a single drink

noun · CEFR B1

one glass or serving of whiskey.

For teachers: an individual serving or measure of whiskey.

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

### 4. a horse carriage

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

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

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

- The young gentleman drove his whiskey through the park at a dangerous speed.
- In the nineteenth-century novel, the protagonist arrives at the estate in a fashionable whiskey, much to the surprise of the local villagers.

Teaching tip: This sense is extremely rare in modern English and is only found in historical literature.

## Examples

- He ordered a glass of whiskey with ice.
- The distillery produces several varieties of whiskey using traditional methods and local spring water.
- Connoisseurs often debate the subtle differences between single malt and blended whiskey, focusing on the influence of peat smoke and the specific type of wood used for maturation.

---

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.