ENGLISH
REFERENCE

whisky

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈhwɪski// UK //wˈɪski// whisky Archaic

n. a strong alcoholic drink made from grains like corn or barley. It is usually brown and has a very powerful taste.

n. a distilled alcoholic beverage produced from fermented grain mash, typically aged in wooden casks. The spelling 'whiskey' is generally preferred in Ireland and the United States, while 'whisky' is standard in Scotland and Canada.


SIMPLE

He poured a small glass of whisky after dinner.

CONTEXTUAL

The region is famous for its traditional distilleries that produce high-quality whisky for export.

COMPLEX

Connoisseurs often debate whether adding a few drops of water to a glass of single-malt whisky helps to release its complex aromatic profile.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

Variant of usque, abbreviation of usquebaugh (compare obsolete whiskybae), from Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha (“water of life”), calque of Medieval Latin aqua vitae. Compare akvavit, aquavit, aqua vitae, eau de vie, and water of life from the same source.

Etymology 2

From whisk + -y.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the liquid in general; countable when referring to a specific glass or a particular variety.

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