cocktail glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to semi-formal; common in social, hospitality, and consumer contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cocktail glass” mean?
A stemmed glass with a wide, shallow, conical bowl, specifically designed for serving cocktails without ice (straight up).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stemmed glass with a wide, shallow, conical bowl, specifically designed for serving cocktails without ice (straight up).
Can refer to the general style of glassware used for serving various mixed drinks, sometimes extending metaphorically to describe any elaborate or fragile drinking vessel used for social occasions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the object referred to. The glass shape is internationally standardized in bartending.
Connotations
Similar connotations of elegance and adult socialising in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, given the global nature of cocktail culture.
Grammar
How to Use “cocktail glass” in a Sentence
VERB + cocktail glass: chill, serve (in), hold, fill, rinseADJECTIVE + cocktail glass: chilled, conical, stemmed, elegant, classicVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cocktail glass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The barman will cocktail-glass the martinis before service.
- We need to cocktail-glass these drinks properly.
American English
- The bartender will cocktail-glass the martinis before service.
- We need to cocktail-glass these drinks correctly.
adverb
British English
- [Virtually never used as an adverb]
American English
- [Virtually never used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The cocktail-glass collection was impressive.
- She preferred the cocktail-glass aesthetic.
American English
- The cocktail-glass collection was impressive.
- She preferred the cocktail-glass look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the hospitality industry, referring to specific bar inventory or procurement.
Academic
Rare; potentially in design history or material culture studies.
Everyday
Discussing drinkware at home, planning a party, or ordering a drink at a bar.
Technical
In bartending manuals specifying glassware for particular recipes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cocktail glass”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cocktail glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cocktail glass”
- Using 'cocktail glass' to refer to any glass containing a cocktail (e.g., a highball).
- Pronouncing 'cocktail' with a /ɒ/ sound in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, yes. The terms are largely synonymous, both describing the stemmed glass with a wide, conical bowl. Historically, 'martini glass' is a subset.
Typically no. Cocktail glasses are designed for 'straight up' or 'neat' drinks served without ice. Drinks with ice are usually served in rocks or highball glasses.
A cocktail (or martini) glass has a V-shaped, conical bowl. A coupe has a rounded, shallow, saucer-like bowl. They are often confused but are distinct shapes.
The stem prevents body heat from your hand from warming the chilled, ice-free drink, and it allows the drinker to hold the glass without smudging the bowl.
A stemmed glass with a wide, shallow, conical bowl, specifically designed for serving cocktails without ice (straight up).
Cocktail glass is usually neutral to semi-formal; common in social, hospitality, and consumer contexts. in register.
Cocktail glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒkteɪl ɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːkteɪl ɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific compound]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rooster's tail (cock + tail) fanned out wide and shallow like the bowl of this elegant glass.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOCIAL OCCASION IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'The evening was filled with cocktail glasses and laughter').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these drinks is LEAST likely to be served in a standard cocktail glass?