ginger ale: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-highNeutral to informal; common in everyday speech and commercial contexts.
Quick answer
What does “ginger ale” mean?
A carbonated soft drink flavoured with ginger.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A carbonated soft drink flavoured with ginger.
A non-alcoholic beverage, often pale gold in colour, containing ginger flavouring and sugar, commonly consumed on its own or as a mixer for alcoholic drinks. In some contexts, it can be used to describe the specific taste or colour of the drink.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The product is essentially identical. Minor differences may exist in brand names or perceived strength (some British ginger ales are milder). 'Ginger beer' is a more distinct, often stronger, alternative in the UK.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes refreshment, a mild remedy for an upset stomach, and a common mixer. No strong regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “ginger ale” in a Sentence
[Drink] + ginger ale[Mix] + ginger ale + with + [drink][Order] + a + ginger ale[Have] + some ginger aleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ginger ale” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- We can ginger ale this punch to give it some fizz. (Very rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- She preferred the ginger-ale flavour to cola.
American English
- He ordered a ginger-ale float with vanilla ice cream.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the hospitality, beverage, and retail industries (e.g., 'Our bar stocks three brands of ginger ale.').
Academic
Rare, except perhaps in historical or cultural studies of food and drink.
Everyday
Very common (e.g., ordering a drink, buying groceries, offering a refreshment).
Technical
Used in food science or chemistry related to flavourings and carbonation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ginger ale”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ginger ale”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ginger ale”
- Confusing 'ginger ale' with 'ginger beer'. Spelling as one word ('gingerale').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard, commercially produced ginger ale is a non-alcoholic soft drink. However, it is frequently used as a mixer with alcoholic spirits.
Ginger beer traditionally has a much stronger, spicier ginger flavour and can be fermented (and sometimes alcoholic). Modern commercial ginger ale is milder, sweeter, and highly carbonated.
It is a common folk remedy for nausea or indigestion, largely due to the ginger content. However, its high sugar content in commercial varieties may be counterproductive for some.
It is standardly written as two words: 'ginger ale'. Hyphenation ('ginger-ale') is sometimes used when it functions as a modifier (e.g., ginger-ale flavour).
A carbonated soft drink flavoured with ginger.
Ginger ale is usually neutral to informal; common in everyday speech and commercial contexts. in register.
Ginger ale: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒɪn.dʒər ˈeɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒɪn.dʒər ˈeɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms; used in phrases like 'a whisky and ginger ale'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the fiery 'ginger' root mixed into a pale 'ale' (though it's not beer). GINGER for the spice, ALE for the fizzy drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not strongly metaphorised. Can be a source domain for 'something that adds a bit of spice or fizz' (e.g., 'He's the ginger ale in our flat office party').
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic that typically distinguishes 'ginger ale' from 'ginger beer'?