gin

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈjin 

1

: a colorless alcoholic beverage made from distilled or redistilled neutral grain spirits flavored with juniper berries and aromatics (such as anise and caraway seeds)

2

a

: gin rummy

b

: the act of laying down a full hand of matched cards in gin rummy

ginny

ˈjin-ē 

adjective

gin

2 of 5

noun (2)

ˈjin 

: any of various tools or mechanical devices: such as

a

: cotton gin

b

: a snare or trap for game

gin

3 of 5

verb (1)

ˈjin 

ginned; ginning

transitive verb

1

: to come up with : generate

—usually used with up

gin up enthusiasm

2

: to separate (cotton fiber) from seeds and waste material

3

: snare

ginner noun

gin

4 of 5

conjunction

ˈgin 

dialect

: if

gin

5 of 5

verb (2)

ˈgin 

gan ˈgan  ; ginning

archaic

: begin

Examples of gin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The two ads focus on the Connecticut distillery’s bourbon and gin, respectively, while playing into the fact that the state is not known for its spirits. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024

The classic Bronx is a full pour of gin, and about half that much of sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and orange juice. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by shortening & alteration from geneva

Noun (2)

Middle English gin, from Anglo-French, short for engin — more at engine entry 1

Conjunction

perhaps by contraction from dialect gif if + an if

Verb (2)

Middle English ginnen, short for beginnen

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Conjunction

1580, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gin

• bathtub gin
• cotton gin
• gin mill
• gin rummy
• sloe gin

Kids Definition

gin

1 of 3 noun

ˈjin 

: cotton gin

gin

2 of 3 verb

ginned; ginning

: to separate (cotton fiber) from seeds and waste material

ginner noun

gin

3 of 3 noun

: a clear strong alcoholic liquor flavored with juniper berries

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gin "a mechanical device, skill, trick," from early French engin (same meaning), from Latin ingenium "natural ability or desire to do something, inborn ability," from in "in" and -genium, from gignere "to father, beget" — related to engine, genius, ingenious

Noun

an altered form of earlier geneva "gin (liquor)," from obsolete Dutch genever, literally, "juniper"