drinkery
LowInformal, Humorous, Jocular
Definition
Meaning
A humorous or informal establishment where alcoholic drinks are served; a bar, pub, or tavern.
Can occasionally refer broadly to any place designed for drinking, not necessarily alcoholic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Formed by adding the suffix "-ery" (a place where an activity is carried out) to "drink." It is often used self-consciously for a whimsical or euphemistic effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally informal in both varieties, but more likely to be used ironically in modern British English. The suffix "-ery" is more common in US (e.g., eatery, bakery) but the word itself is rare.
Connotations
Both: Jocular, slightly old-fashioned, or deliberately quaint.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both; a nonce word or a deliberate coinage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of N: a drinkery of some reputeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with this rare word]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Unlikely, unless in a whimsical brand name for a bar chain.
Academic
Virtually never used; historical linguistics might cite it as an example of word formation.
Everyday
Extremely rare; used for humorous effect among friends.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They went to the new drinkery in town.
- After the hike, we found a small drinkery to quench our thirst.
- The quaint little drinkery on the corner has been a local secret for decades.
- The entrepreneur’s business plan involved franchising his successful drinkery concept nationwide, albeit under a less whimsical name.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DRINK + BAKERY. A bakery makes bread, a drinkery serves drinks.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BUSINESS IS A PLACE FOR ITS PRODUCT
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "питьевая" (drinking water facility). It is exclusively about a commercial establishment, not a source of water.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Overusing it, as it is a novelty word.
- Spelling as *drinkary*.
Practice
Quiz
The word 'drinkery' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is extremely rare and used informally or humorously.
Only if you are aiming for a quirky, informal brand image; otherwise, use standard terms like 'bar' or 'pub'.
An 'eatery' focuses on food, a 'drinkery' focuses on drinks, though the line is often blurred.
It is listed in some comprehensive dictionaries (e.g., Merriam-Webster Unabridged) but marked as informal or humorous.