Search Dictionary
Definition of firewater

firewater

/ˈfaɪ.ɚˌwɑː.tɚ/
fire · wa · ter
Plural:firewaters
JUMP TO:

firewater Lexical Profile

firewater Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any strong distilled alcoholic beverage, such as whiskey or rum (used especially in historical frontier contexts or informally).

Example

"Historical accounts of the fur trade frequently mention the barter of furs for barrels of cheap firewater."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for firewater

Word Nuance & Usage

While occasionally used humorously in informal speech for any strong liquor, the term has historical associations with stereotypical depictions of Native Americans in frontier literature and should be used with cultural sensitivity.

• Nearby Words

firewalking
firewall
firewarden
firewater
fireweed
firewoman
firewood

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 19th century, the word is a loan translation (calque) of Algonquian terms (such as Ojibwe 'ishkodewaaboo', literally 'fire-liquid') used to describe distilled alcoholic spirits introduced by European traders.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Firewater. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/firewater
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.