clara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Casual
Quick answer
What does “clara” mean?
A cocktail made with pale beer (typically lager) and lemonade or fizzy lemon-lime soda.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cocktail made with pale beer (typically lager) and lemonade or fizzy lemon-lime soda.
A refreshing, clear-colored mixed drink, often associated with summer and informal social settings. The term can sometimes be used regionally to refer to other mixed light alcoholic beverages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually unknown in American English. Recognizable in British English, especially among those with travel experience in Spain or Germany, but not a standard term in most UK pubs.
Connotations
In British usage, connotes continental European cafe culture, holidays, and a light, summery drink. In American English, if encountered, it would be an exoticism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, but marginally higher in UK due to proximity to Spain.
Grammar
How to Use “clara” in a Sentence
ORDER + claraDRINK + claraclara + (with/and) + lemonadeVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except perhaps in culinary or cultural studies.
Everyday
Used in informal social situations, primarily when ordering drinks in a relevant European context.
Technical
Used in bartending/hospitality contexts referring to specific mixed drinks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clara”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clara”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clara”
- Using it as a common adjective meaning 'clear'.
- Capitalizing it as if always a proper name (often not).
- Assuming it is widely understood without context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Clara' is the Spanish term for the drink known as 'shandy' in the UK, a mix of beer and lemonade.
It is unlikely to be understood. You should ask for a 'beer with lemonade' or a 'shandy' if it's on the menu.
In English, it functions exclusively as a noun (a count noun: 'a clara', 'two claras').
Typically, no. While it originates from a proper noun in other languages, in English it is usually treated as a common noun and written in lowercase.
A cocktail made with pale beer (typically lager) and lemonade or fizzy lemon-lime soda.
Clara is usually informal, casual in register.
Clara: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɑːrə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɑrə/ or /ˈklɛrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no established idioms)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CLARA' is 'CLEAR' like the light color of this beer-and-lemonade drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
REFRESHMENT IS CLARITY/CLEARNESS (linked to the clear, light appearance).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'clara' most accurately described as?