cool drink: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighInformal, neutral
Quick answer
What does “cool drink” mean?
A drink, typically non-alcoholic, that is chilled and serves to refresh and quench thirst.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drink, typically non-alcoholic, that is chilled and serves to refresh and quench thirst.
Informally, any refreshing beverage; can also refer to an alcoholic beverage served cold (like a cocktail) in some contexts, though this is secondary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. 'Soft drink' is a more formal/commercial synonym in both. Slight preference for 'cold drink' in some UK contexts.
Connotations
In both, it suggests refreshment and relief from heat. No significant difference.
Frequency
Equally common in everyday speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cool drink” in a Sentence
have a cool drinkget [someone] a cool drinkorder a cool drinkserve a cool drinkVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cool drink” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The butler will cool your drink with ice.
- Let's cool the drinks in the fridge.
American English
- You should cool your drink before serving it.
- I'm going to cool the drinks in the freezer.
adverb
British English
- He served the lemonade cool-drink cold.
American English
- She likes her iced tea cool-drink chilled.
adjective
British English
- A cool-drink dispenser stood in the corner.
- We found a cool-drink vendor on the high street.
American English
- We bought it from a cool-drink machine.
- They set up a cool-drink station for the runners.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In marketing or hospitality: 'We offer complimentary cool drinks in the lobby.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in texts on nutrition or cultural practices.
Everyday
Very common: 'It's so hot; I fancy a cool drink.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cool drink”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cool drink”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cool drink”
- Using 'cool drink' to refer to a fashionable alcoholic cocktail (incorrect primary meaning).
- Incorrect article: 'I want cool drink.' (Correct: 'I want a cool drink.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar in everyday use, but 'soft drink' explicitly means non-alcoholic. 'Cool drink' primarily means a cold, refreshing drink, which is usually non-alcoholic but could contextually include a cold beer or cocktail.
It is informal. In formal or commercial contexts, use terms like 'chilled beverage', 'non-alcoholic drink', or 'soft drink'.
They are largely interchangeable. 'Cool' often implies pleasantly or refreshingly cold, while 'cold' is a more neutral temperature descriptor. 'Cool drink' can sound slightly more idiomatic and refreshing.
Because it is a countable noun. You are referring to one (a) drink that is cool. The article is necessary in singular form.
A drink, typically non-alcoholic, that is chilled and serves to refresh and quench thirst.
Cool drink: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkuːl ˈdrɪŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkul ˈdrɪŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A long cool drink of water (also used figuratively for a refreshing person or thing).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two 'oo's in 'cool' as two ice cubes floating in your DRINK.
Conceptual Metaphor
REFRESHMENT IS COOLNESS / COMFORT IS A COOL DRINK.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cool drink' LEAST likely to be used?