cocktail

1 of 3

noun (1)

cock·​tail ˈkäk-ˌtāl 

1

a

: a usually iced drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients

b

: something resembling or suggesting such a drink as being a mixture of often diverse elements or ingredients

a cocktail of remembered incidents and pure imagination

—Charlotte Low

a cocktail of herbicides

c

: a mixture of agents usually in solution that is taken or used especially for medical treatment or diagnosis

2

: an appetizer served as a first course at a meal

cocktail

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or set aside for cocktails

a cocktail hour

2

: designed for semiformal wear

a cocktail dress

cocktail

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a horse with its tail docked

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• blend
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• emulsion
• fusion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Examples of cocktail in a Sentence

Noun (1)

an autopsy found a lethal cocktail of banned substances in the actor's body

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The drinks menu is another draw in itself, with a bevy of fruity and classic cocktails. —Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2024

There's a full bar menu of beer, wines by the glass and bottle and cocktails. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2024

Its mimosa, Motor Bike, Paloma and Bloody Mary cocktails have been joined by a tiramisu espresso martini, and an ube cold foam matcha drink is now available among the non-alcoholic brunch drinks menu. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024

Perfect for cocktails, lemonade, and adding to tea, this simple concoction will become your new favorite secret ingredient. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 May 2024

Inside, guests can tour the exhibit, have cocktails and then sit down for dinner. —Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024

Turkey breast, prime rib and ham are featured, with chicken and waffles, omelets, French toast, shrimp cocktail, salads and sides. —Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024

The event will feature gourmet dinner stations with specialty cocktails, live auction packages and performances by the center’s youths. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

The couple had a springtime civil ceremony at City Hall, with two close friends in attendance, and then celebrated with cocktails at Nine Orchard and dinner at King. —Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably from cock entry 1 + tail

Noun (2)

cock entry 1 + tail

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1781, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cocktail

• Americano cocktail
• cocktail dress
• cocktail glass
• cocktail hour
• cocktail lounge
• cocktail party
• cocktail sauce
• cocktail table
• Molotov cocktail
• Shirley Temple cocktail

Kids Definition

cocktail

noun

cock·​tail

ˈkäk-ˌtāl

1

: an iced drink of distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients

2

: an appetizer (as tomato juice) served as a first course at a meal

Medical Definition

cocktail

noun

cock·​tail ˈkäk-ˌtāl 

: a mixture of agents usually in solution that is taken or used especially for medical treatment or diagnosis

a potent cocktail of antiretroviral drugs

—Zia Jaffrey

chemotherapy cocktails to treat cancer

—J. L. Swerdlow