Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

angel's share

noun

Definition of angel's share 

the angel's share
: the amount of an alcoholic drink (such as cognac, brandy, or whiskey) that is lost to evaporation when the liquid is being aged in porous oak barrels Up to 1 percent of the volume of the cask can be lost each year through evaporation, sometimes called the angel's share.— James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 30 Apr. 1992

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of angel's share

1970, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about angel's share

Share angel's share

Statistics for angel's share

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for angel's share

The first known use of angel's share was in 1970

See more words from the same year

Comments on angel's share

What made you want to look up angel's share? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

farouche

marked by shyness and lack of polish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Liar, Liar Quiz

  • alt-5761dbe2ba986
  • Someone who pretends to be sick in order to avoid work is a:
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games