anisette: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Low FrequencyFormal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “anisette” mean?
A sweet, clear, anise-flavoured liqueur, often served as a digestif.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet, clear, anise-flavoured liqueur, often served as a digestif.
A category of liqueurs primarily flavoured with aniseed, typically with a high sugar content, originating from Mediterranean regions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. Both varieties use the French-derived term.
Connotations
Connotes Mediterranean sophistication, after-dinner drinks, and traditional liqueur production.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English due to stronger historical ties to French culture, but remains a low-frequency term in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “anisette” in a Sentence
[Subject] + serve/drink + anisette[Subject] + have + a glass of + anisette[Anisette] + is made from + aniseedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anisette” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The anisette flavour was too dominant in the cocktail.
American English
- He prefers anisette liqueurs over other sweet spirits.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of import/export, hospitality, and beverage industry marketing.
Academic
May appear in culinary history, food science, or cultural studies texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing drinks, restaurants, travel experiences, or cooking.
Technical
Used in distilling, mixology, and food labelling with precise definitions for alcohol content and flavourings.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anisette”
- Misspelling as 'annise', 'aniseete', or 'anniset'. Confusing it with the spice 'aniseed' itself. Using it as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'two anisettes' is less common than 'two glasses of anisette').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both contain anise, absinthe is historically a stronger, bitter spirit often containing wormwood, whereas anisette is a sweeter, lower-alcohol liqueur.
It is typically served neat, at room temperature or slightly chilled, in a small glass after a meal. It can also be used as a cocktail ingredient.
The dominant flavour is aniseed (from the plant Pimpinella anisum or star anise), which gives it a distinctive licorice-like taste.
In standard modern English, it refers exclusively to the liqueur. In other contexts (e.g., historical or botanical), it might rarely denote something flavoured with anise.
A sweet, clear, anise-flavoured liqueur, often served as a digestif.
Anisette is usually formal, culinary in register.
Anisette: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɪˈzet/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.əˈzet/ /ˌæn.əˈsɛt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANISE' (the seed flavour) + the feminine French suffix '-ETTE' (meaning 'little') = 'a little anise drink'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIQUOR IS A CULTURAL ARTEFACT (it embodies the traditions of a region).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is CLOSEST in meaning to 'anisette'?