French word

cocktail

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔktɛl/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncocktail

Example

Je voudrais un cocktail, s'il vous plaît.

I'd like a cocktail, please.

Illustration for cocktail (cocktail)

More examples

Lors du buffet, elle a pris un cocktail de fruits.

At the buffet, she took a fruit cocktail.

Core concept

Many distinct parts combined into one drink, mixture, or gathering.

Common phrases

  • un cocktail de fruits

    fruit cocktail

  • préparer un cocktail

    prepare a cocktail

Similar words

boisson: Any liquid intended for drinking.
apéritif: A small drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Definition in French

Boisson obtenue en mélangeant plusieurs ingrédients, souvent alcoolisée, servie en verre; mot employé aussi pour désigner un mélange ou une réception debout.

Word origin

French borrowed cocktail from English in the nineteenth century and extended the word from mixed drinks to mixtures and standing social events.

Usage tips

  • For a clearly alcohol-free drink, French commonly uses the phrase cocktail sans alcool.

Other meanings

  • cocktail partynoun
  • mixturenoun

Word lists with this word