: a dry or sweet aperitif wine flavored with aromatic herbs and often used in mixed drinks

Examples of vermouth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Know which drink to order at what time Drinking is also quite codified; with meals wine is the most common, but vermouth is often enjoyed as an aperitif before dining. Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 The roaring jewel martini is made with Beluga Gold Line Vodka and a dry vermouth rinse, then topped with Billecart-Salmon Champagne Le Reserve and garnished with olives and a spoonful of beluga caviar. Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The cocktail menu leans into the couple’s heritage with some Argentine staples, including the El Clásico of Fernet and Coke and El Diego, concocted with sweet vermouth, Coke and a splash of whiskey. Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 The bartender, Negroni’s friend Fosco Scarselli, apparently chose to replace the soda entirely and created the classic gin, vermouth and Campari combination. Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vermouth

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French vermout, vermouth & Italian vermut, vermutte, both borrowed from German Wermut, short for Wermutwein, from Wermut "wormwood" (going back to Old High German wermuota, werimuota) + Wein wine entry 1 — more at wormwood

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vermouth was in 1806

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vermouth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vermouth. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a wine flavored with herbs

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