liqueur

noun

li·​queur li-ˈkər  -ˈku̇r 

-ˈkyu̇r

: a usually sweetened alcoholic liquor (such as brandy) flavored with fruit, spices, nuts, herbs, or seeds

Examples of liqueur in a Sentence

a bottle of orange liqueur

Recent Examples on the Web

Dig in: The Tum Tugger cocktail at Lorelei combines black rum, alpine amaro, black walnuts, nutmeg and Drambuie, a liqueur made from Scotch. —Ryan Deto, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025

These terrines of chocolate get dressed up for Valentine’s Day with an infusion of raspberry liqueur rippling through the custard for celebratory sparkle. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025

To romanticize the European-coast drink for your Galentine's Day spread, begin by adding 1/4 cup of raspberries and two ounces of elderflower liqueur to a wine glass. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2025

Also found: an empty bottle of La Marca Prosecco and a half-drunk bottle of Chambord raspberry liqueur. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French licour liquid — more at liquor

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

liqueur

noun

li·​queur li-ˈkər  -ˈk(y)u̇(ə)r 

: a flavored and usually sweetened alcoholic beverage

Medical Definition

liqueur

noun

li·​queur li-ˈkər  -ˈk(y)u̇(ə)r 

: a usually sweetened alcoholic beverage variously flavored (as with fruit or aromatics)