: a liquid substance: such as
a
: a usually distilled rather than fermented alcoholic beverage
b
: a watery solution of a drug
c
liquored; liquoring
ˈli-k(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to dress (something, such as leather) with oil or grease
2
: to make drunk with alcoholic liquor
—usually used with up
: to drink alcoholic liquor especially to excess
—usually used with up
Synonyms
Examples of liquor in a Sentence
Noun
He drinks beer and wine, but he doesn't drink any hard liquor.
vodka, whiskey, and other liquors
Recent Examples on the Web
Marc Hershberg, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
Other white chocolate liqueurs can be used instead—ask your local liquor store for their best recommendations.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023
The Carters did not serve hard liquor at public functions, though Ms. Carter did permit U.S. wine.
—Bill Barrow and Michael Warren, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2023
Advertisement Getting beers and spirits to restaurants, bars and any place with a liquor license in San Diego County requires a round-the-clock operation with dedicated workers.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023
After the annual party, which is hosted by Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber on behalf of the latter's liquor company, Hilton documented her Halloween look with a fun video shared on Instagram Saturday.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
Before the order was issued, Florida’s Department of Professional and Business Regulation had already moved to revoke the liquor licenses of a Miami hotel and an Orlando performing arts venue for hosting drag shows where children may have been present.
—Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Global liquor giant Diageo DEO -2.42%decrease; red down pointing triangle
is reeling from the sudden death of its longtime chief executive in June followed by a profit warning last week that tanked the stock.
—Aaron Back, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
The spiced liquor adds holiday flavor to any number of cocktails.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appétit, 15 Nov. 2023
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 July 2023
Nearly half of the country bans liquor sales on Christmas Day, according to VinePair, a cocktail culture website.
—Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022
Since the pandemic began, bars and other premises selling alcohol have been hit hard by Covid-19 restrictions, causing sales -- and liquor tax revenues -- to plummet in the world's third-largest economy.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 18 Aug. 2022
Luxury goods was a rare outperformer led by Hong Kong listed Prada +2.65% while online education, solar, semis, auto, and liquor sub-sectors were among the worst.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
The state’s new rules do not make changes to liquor sales.
—Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Oct. 2021
The card that millions of people use to prove their identity to everyone from police officers to liquor store owners may soon be a thing of the past as a growing number of states develop digital driver's licenses.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 May 2021
The card that millions of people use to prove their identity to everyone from police officers to liquor store owners may soon be a thing of the past as a growing number of states develop digital driver’s licenses.
—al, 8 May 2021
Chinese investors noted that a large European China mutual fund is increasing its exposure to liquor stock Kweichow Moutai.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 16 Apr. 2021
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Noun
Jujamcyn Theaters is still identified as the owner of the five theaters on its website, Sweet Hospitality Group still pays money to Jujamcyn Theaters, and Jujamcyn Theaters is still listed on the liquor licenses renewed for the theaters last month.
—Marc Hershberg, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
Other white chocolate liqueurs can be used instead—ask your local liquor store for their best recommendations.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023
The Carters did not serve hard liquor at public functions, though Ms. Carter did permit U.S. wine.
—Bill Barrow and Michael Warren, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2023
Advertisement Getting beers and spirits to restaurants, bars and any place with a liquor license in San Diego County requires a round-the-clock operation with dedicated workers.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023
After the annual party, which is hosted by Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber on behalf of the latter's liquor company, Hilton documented her Halloween look with a fun video shared on Instagram Saturday.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
Before the order was issued, Florida’s Department of Professional and Business Regulation had already moved to revoke the liquor licenses of a Miami hotel and an Orlando performing arts venue for hosting drag shows where children may have been present.
—Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Global liquor giant Diageo DEO -2.42%decrease; red down pointing triangle
is reeling from the sudden death of its longtime chief executive in June followed by a profit warning last week that tanked the stock.
—Aaron Back, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
The spiced liquor adds holiday flavor to any number of cocktails.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appétit, 15 Nov. 2023
Verb
This might be a vestige of his childhood, which was spent in a home with a teetotaling mother and a father who was raised hell-fire-and-brimstone Southern Baptist, but despite his general indifference to liquor, my dad has always kept a bottle of George Dickel in our pantry.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 July 2023
Nearly half of the country bans liquor sales on Christmas Day, according to VinePair, a cocktail culture website.
—Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022
Since the pandemic began, bars and other premises selling alcohol have been hit hard by Covid-19 restrictions, causing sales -- and liquor tax revenues -- to plummet in the world's third-largest economy.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 18 Aug. 2022
Luxury goods was a rare outperformer led by Hong Kong listed Prada +2.65% while online education, solar, semis, auto, and liquor sub-sectors were among the worst.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
The state’s new rules do not make changes to liquor sales.
—Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Oct. 2021
The card that millions of people use to prove their identity to everyone from police officers to liquor store owners may soon be a thing of the past as a growing number of states develop digital driver's licenses.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 May 2021
The card that millions of people use to prove their identity to everyone from police officers to liquor store owners may soon be a thing of the past as a growing number of states develop digital driver’s licenses.
—al, 8 May 2021
Chinese investors noted that a large European China mutual fund is increasing its exposure to liquor stock Kweichow Moutai.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 16 Apr. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liquor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English licour, from Anglo-French, from Latin liquor, from liquēre
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1502, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of liquor was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing liquor
Articles Related to liquor
Dictionary Entries Near liquor
Cite this Entry
“Liquor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquor. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
liquor
noun
li·quor
ˈlik-ər
1
: a liquid substance or solution
dye liquor
2
: a strong alcoholic beverage
More from Merriam-Webster on liquor
Nglish: Translation of liquor for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of liquor for Arabic Speakers
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