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Definition of cocktail

cocktail

/ˈkɑːk.teɪl/
cock · tail

Plural:cocktails
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cocktail Lexical Profile

cocktail Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An alcoholic drink consisting of one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream.

Example

"The bartender skillfully mixed a refreshing gin cocktail with fresh lime and mint."


2

A diverse mixture or combination of different elements, often unexpected or potent.

Example

"The current economic crisis is a dangerous cocktail of high inflation and soaring unemployment."


3

An appetizer consisting of a mixture of small pieces of food, such as fruit or seafood, typically served at the beginning of a meal.

Example

"We started the banquet with a classic shrimp cocktail served on a bed of crisp lettuce."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cocktail

• Rhymes for cocktail

Word Origin & Etymology

Early 19th century (originally US): perhaps derived from the term for a horse with a docked tail (which stuck up like a rooster's tail), which denoted a horse of mixed breed. The term was subsequently applied to a 'mixed' drink.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cocktail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cocktail
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