gimlet

1 of 4

noun (1)

gim·​let ˈgim-lət 

: a small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes

Illustration of gimlet

gimlet

2 of 4

adjective

: having a piercing or penetrating quality

gimlet

3 of 4

verb

gimleted; gimleting; gimlets

transitive verb

: to pierce as if with a gimlet

gimlet

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a drink consisting of sweetened lime juice and gin or vodka and sometimes carbonated or plain water

Examples of gimlet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hof Alma at Rina Rina’s signature tropical frozen gimlet is flavored with passion fruit, orange and lime juice with a base of gin. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 21 June 2026

Day one we were presented with the most delicious blackberry gin gimlet. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026

Dry and floral, this enchanting gin will elevate your French 75, gimlet, and Martinez to a bygone golden era — the world through rose-colored gin glasses. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Parrish stood at the wheel, his gimlet eyes surveying the water beneath a threadbare Pink Floyd cap. — Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French guimbelet, from Middle French (Picard), modification of Middle Dutch wimmelkijn, from wimmel wimble

Noun (2)

probably from gimlet entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1752, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1928, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gimlet

• gimlet-eyed

Rhymes for gimlet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

gimlet

noun

gim·​let

ˈgim-lət

: a small tool with a screw point and cross handle for boring holes