cider: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal. Common in everyday and culinary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cider” mean?
An alcoholic drink made from fermented apple juice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An alcoholic drink made from fermented apple juice; also, in some regions, a non-alcoholic cloudy apple juice.
Any fermented drink made from fruit other than grapes (e.g., pear cider). Can also refer to the colour of the drink (a warm amber/brown).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'cider' is primarily alcoholic (fermented). In the US, 'cider' or 'apple cider' is typically a fresh, unfiltered, non-alcoholic apple juice, especially in autumn; the alcoholic version is often called 'hard cider'.
Connotations
UK: Associated with pubs, rural traditions, and can range from sweet to dry. US: 'Apple cider' evokes autumn, harvest, family gatherings; 'hard cider' is a craft/boutique alternative to beer.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both dialects, but the referent differs. 'Cider' in the UK is a standard pub offering. In the US, 'apple cider' is seasonal (fall), while 'hard cider' is a growing market segment.
Grammar
How to Use “cider” in a Sentence
drink/have a ciderbrew/make ciderpress apples for ciderferment into ciderVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cider” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- cider-making region
- cider-apple orchard
American English
- cider-making tradition
- cider-donut shop
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The cider market saw 5% growth last quarter.
Academic
The history of cider production in Normandy dates back to the medieval period.
Everyday
Let's stop at the pub for a pint of cider.
Technical
The malolactic fermentation in this cider softens the acidity.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cider”
- Using 'cider' to mean clear, filtered apple juice (incorrect in UK).
- Saying 'apple cider' in the UK is redundant.
- Confusing 'cider vinegar' with 'white vinegar'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In the UK, the term typically means alcoholic. In the US, 'cider' or 'apple cider' is usually non-alcoholic; the alcoholic version is specified as 'hard cider'.
Commercially, apple juice is often filtered, clear, and pasteurized. Cider (US non-alcoholic type) is unfiltered, cloudy, and may be unpasteurized. Alcoholic cider (UK/ 'hard cider' US) is fermented.
Yes. Alcoholic cider is used in sauces, stews, and braises (e.g., pork cooked in cider). Non-alcoholic cider can be reduced for glazes. Cider vinegar is common in dressings.
Yes, though the traditional term is 'perry'. 'Pear cider' is a modern marketing term widely understood to mean a fermented drink made from pears.
An alcoholic drink made from fermented apple juice.
Cider is usually neutral to informal. common in everyday and culinary contexts. in register.
Cider: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪ.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪ.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She's no better than she ought to be – half a crown to see a cider-apple tree. (UK, archaic, implying promiscuity)”
- “He's as much use as a chocolate teapot / a cider down a coal mine. (UK, simile for uselessness)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Cider is made from apples that have been SQUEEZED, then FERMENTED. Think: 'I' in cider for the 'eye' (apple) of the drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHENTICITY / TRADITION (e.g., 'traditional farmhouse cider'), NATURE'S BOUNTY (e.g., 'harvest cider'), RELAXATION/SOCIALISING (e.g., 'a casual cider with friends').
Practice
Quiz
In which country would you most likely order 'a pint of cider' in a pub and receive an alcoholic drink?