drink

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "drink" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an alcoholic beverage, for example, "I had a beer with dinner." You can also use it in the context of consuming any liquid, such as "I need to drink more water." You might also use it to refer to an act of consumption, such as "I'll drink to that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've come to learn through that process that any drink problem is a serious problem indeed".

The Guardian

Tired people are less productive and struggle to concentrate, and you no longer get to drink free coffee.

The Guardian

But every time MEPs drink a cup of Nespresso coffee they are sending more money to Nespresso and Nestlé than to dirt-poor coffee farmers who rely on the crop.

The Guardian - Opinion

So we wander to a bar to drink pisco sours and set the world to rights instead.

The Guardian - Travel

My take on possibly the easiest mixed drink ever invented (after the gin tonic, of course), the Spanish tinto de verano, a simpler, less alcoholic version of sangria that is easier to make, and less alcoholic, so it's perfect that's perfect for a long afternoon in the garden.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For India's middle class, Italian coffee has replaced sweet chai as the drink of choice and Social (9a-12 Hauz Khas Village, socialoffline.in) is an upscale, urban hangout with hotdesking facilities that does a good cup.

The Guardian - Travel

They are particularly scathing about the coalition's reliance on the responsibility deal, in which food and drink firms voluntarily agree moves to reduce the harm their products can cause.

The Guardian

When you drink matcha you are consuming the leaf and so you ingest all of its nutrients and antioxidants rather than throwing them away as you would with a normal tea.

The Guardian

Saddle up on a pre-1987 bike and choose from 30-, 50- and 100-mile routes through the Derbyshire countryside, as well as a festival celebrating the food, drink and landscape of the area.

The Guardian - Travel

Katherine Brown, director of the Institute of Alcohol Studies thinktank, said: "Before addressing individual drinkers it's important to begin by tackling the problem at the source, making it less easy to access cheap strong drink in supermarkets at all hours.

The Guardian

Rooms from £134 to £357, [phone], sofitelbrisbane.com.au ME Barcelona is quickly becoming the hotspot for those who want to drink, dance and stay somewhere that has glamour and the cinematic allure of LA's sun-kissed magnetism.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To describe the act of savoring a beverage, consider more descriptive verbs such as "sip", "savor", or "quaff" to add depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "drink" as a direct substitute for specific beverage names. Instead of saying "I'll have a drink", be specific: "I'll have a soda", "I'll have a beer" or "I'll have some water".

Linguistic Context

The word "drink" functions primarily as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it describes the act of consuming a liquid. As a noun, it refers to a beverage. This dual functionality is confirmed by Ludwig AI and supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Travel

18%

Lifestyle

16%

Less common in

Sport

3%

Music

3%

Opinion

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "drink" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and a noun, widely used to describe the act of consuming liquids or refer to beverages themselves. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, travel, and lifestyle, make it a staple in English vocabulary. While synonyms like "imbibe" offer more formal alternatives, "drink" maintains a neutral register suitable for most communication styles. To enhance writing, avoid overuse by substituting with more specific beverage names and descriptive verbs. This guide provides practical insights into mastering the usage of "drink" in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a beverage

Offers a simpler, more casual way to refer to drinking.

consume a beverage

Replaces the general term "drink" with a more formal and specific phrase.

imbibe

Presents a more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for "drink".

quench one's thirst

Focuses on the purpose of drinking: to satisfy thirst.

take a sip

Refers to drinking in small amounts.

guzzle

Implies drinking something quickly and enthusiastically.

beverage of choice

Specifies a preferred type of drink.

alcoholic beverage

Highlights the alcoholic content of the drink.

soft drink

Highlights the non-alcoholic content of the drink.

ingest liquid

Uses a more clinical term to refer to the action of drinking.

FAQs

How is "drink" used as a verb?

As a verb, "drink" means to consume a liquid. For example, "I "drink" water every day" or "She "drank" the juice quickly".

What does "drink" mean as a noun?

As a noun, "drink" refers to a beverage. For example, "I'd like another "drink", please" or "What's your favorite "drink"?"

What's a more formal way to say "drink"?

A more formal way to say "drink" is to use the word "imbibe", which suggests consuming a liquid, often in a ceremonial or deliberate manner.

How can I avoid overuse of the word "drink" in my writing?

Vary your language by using more specific terms for different beverages such as "beverage", "cocktail", or "refreshment", depending on the context. You could also use verbs such as "sip", "consume", or "quaff".