beverage
/ˈbev.ər.ɪdʒ/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A beverage is a drink, especially one served in a restaurant, shop, or formal setting. It is a more formal word than “drink.”
- Hot beverages are served after dinner.
- This café offers cold beverages and snacks.
- Water is the healthiest beverage.
Adinary Nuance
Beverage is broader and more formal than drink. Use beverage in menus, business writing, or polite speech. Use drink in everyday conversation. It sounds natural in labels like “soft beverages” or “hot beverages.”
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đồ uống
- Spanish
- bebida
- Chinese
- 饮料
- Japanese
- 飲み物
- Korean
- 음료
Etymology
Beverage came into English from Old French in the late Middle Ages. It is related to a word for drinking and was used in more formal English from early on.
Common phrases
hot beveragescold beveragesnon-alcoholic beveragesbeverage menu
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is beverage more formal than drink?
- Yes. Beverage is more formal and often used in writing, menus, and business contexts.
- Can I use beverage in everyday conversation?
- Yes, but it may sound a little formal. Drink is more common in daily speech.
- Does beverage include alcohol?
- Yes. Beverage can mean any drink, including alcoholic ones, unless the context says otherwise.