speakeasy
speakeasy Lexical Profile
speakeasy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American An illicit establishment or saloon that sells alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during the Prohibition era in the United States (1920–1933).
"During the 1920s, patrons had to whisper a secret password at the back door to gain entry to the neighborhood speakeasy."
A modern bar or cocktail lounge styled to resemble a secretive Prohibition-era establishment, often featuring a concealed entrance and vintage decor.
"We had reservations at a trendy downtown speakeasy hidden behind an unmarked bookshelf inside a coffee shop."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in late 19th-century American English from the phrase 'speak easy,' referring to the practice of speaking quietly inside an unlicensed saloon or when ordering illicit alcohol so as not to alert the police or neighbors.