digestif: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Culinary
Quick answer
What does “digestif” mean?
An alcoholic drink taken after a meal, intended to aid digestion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An alcoholic drink taken after a meal, intended to aid digestion.
A liqueur, brandy, or spirit, often bitter or herbal, consumed at the end of a formal meal as a ritual to settle the stomach.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is used in upscale restaurants and by wine connoisseurs, often retaining its French pronunciation. In the US, it is used similarly but may be more commonly encountered in major metropolitan fine-dining establishments.
Connotations
Connotes sophistication, a European dining tradition, and a multi-course meal. It implies a deliberate, curated dining experience.
Frequency
Low frequency in general speech in both regions. More frequent in written reviews of restaurants, cookbooks, and culinary travelogues.
Grammar
How to Use “digestif” in a Sentence
The host offered us a digestif.We finished the meal with a digestif.A digestif is often served.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in hospitality, culinary arts, and cultural studies contexts.
Everyday
Rare, except among food enthusiasts.
Technical
Specific term in oenology and gastronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digestif”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digestif”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digestif”
- Using it to mean any post-meal beverage like coffee or tea.
- Confusing it with an apéritif (pre-meal drink).
- Mispronouncing it as /daɪˈdʒɛstɪf/ (like the verb 'digest').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not necessarily. While some sweet wines can be served as digestifs, a digestif is specifically defined by its function (aiding digestion) and is often a spirit or bitter liqueur, not necessarily sweet.
It would sound very formal or pretentious in most casual settings. 'After-dinner drink' is a more common, neutral alternative.
An apéritif. An apéritif is served before a meal to stimulate the appetite, while a digestif is served after to aid digestion.
Typically, no. It is meant to be sipped on its own after the meal is complete, sometimes with coffee, but not paired with food.
An alcoholic drink taken after a meal, intended to aid digestion.
Digestif is usually formal / culinary in register.
Digestif: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdiːʒeˈstiːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /diˌʒɛˈstif/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"From apéritif to digestif" (meaning a complete, traditional dining experience).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIGESTIF helps you DIGEST IF you've eaten a big meal.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MEAL IS A JOURNEY (with a digestif as the final, settling destination).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a digestif?