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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

After a full day of exploring the city, change into something a bit nicer, and grab a cocktail while enjoying the changing light as the day shifts into night. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024

For drinks, a set of elegant short glasses is versatile enough for cocktails, wine, or water. —Lizzy Briskin, Bon Appétit, 26 Apr. 2024

The Oakland Park Bondi will offer a new element: a cocktail speakeasy. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024

Many customers pair their meals with wine, beer, a classic cocktail or a signature cocktail. —Jennings Cool, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024

Leventhal’s solution, at Blackbird, is to reward diners with something like frequent-flier points, which can be redeemed for cocktails and appetizers at any participating restaurant. —Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 22 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