John Barleycorn

noun

Definition of John Barleycornnext
as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk she blamed John Barleycorn for the breakdown of their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of John Barleycorn And when Traffic reconvened in 1970 to record their comeback album John Barleycorn Must Die, Mason wasn’t involved. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
  1. alcohol
  2. liquor
  3. drink
  4. booze
  5. rum
  6. spirits
Noun
  • Rubbing Alcohol Head to the drug store for a bottle of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean windows.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Food and drink Three meals a day—included in the rate, except for alcohol—are served in the main lodge, with every group being assigned the same table during their stay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Noun
  • The company radioed for its medical emergency response team but didn’t explain that white liquor had been released, according to the report.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The brand’s whiskey is sold nationwide, including in Kansas City-area liquor stores.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of liquor
Noun
  • So when Billie and Issa get an actual offer for drinks with two firefighters who come to the house, Billie puts on a goofy British accent à la Issa and turns them down, choosing a quiet night at home with her friend instead.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The company is known for its affordable drinks and ice cream, including its signature King Cone vanilla ice cream.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • As a result, our northern neighbor banned the sale of American booze (which is still ongoing in nearly all Canada’s provinces today).
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
  • No business bought more bottles of booze from state liquor stores than Bardenay’s downtown Boise location during fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of booze
Noun
  • Our last night in Valoria la Buena was spent among newfound friends, discussing the Strokes, love and coffee, all while enjoying a little rum.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Here, Mojito Masters mix up the signature cocktail using fresh mint, lime, and locally made Papa’s Pilar rum.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rum
Noun
  • Dolly Parton made her final public appearance just two months before her death at the age of 80 and was in good spirits at the time.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Alcoholic beverages Wine, beer, spirits, including whiskey, vodka, gin, are all impacted.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of spirits

Browse Nearby Words

john
John Barleycorn
John Barleycorns
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All