hollands: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Technical / Archaic / Historical / Specific
Quick answer
What does “hollands” mean?
A strong, colorless gin originally produced in the Netherlands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strong, colorless gin originally produced in the Netherlands.
A specific type of spirit; sometimes used to refer to Dutch gin in historical contexts. The term can also appear as a proper noun referring to the Dutch region.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both dialects. The spirit type is more likely referenced in British historical or specialist contexts (e.g., older literature, gin history). In American English, it is virtually unknown outside of very specific circles.
Connotations
Connotes tradition, antiquity, and specificity. Not a term in general use for spirits.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely to be encountered in historical texts or specialist discussions about spirits than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “hollands” in a Sentence
[drink/serve/taste] + HollandsHollands + [from/gin]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hollands” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb use.
American English
- No standard verb use.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb use.
American English
- No standard adverb use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective use. (Capitalized as proper adjective: 'Hollands gin').
American English
- No standard adjective use. (Capitalized as proper adjective: 'Hollands gin').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, only in niche import/export of spirits or historical business analysis.
Academic
Used in historical studies, culinary history, or anthropology of drinking culture.
Everyday
Virtually never used. One would say 'Dutch gin' if needed.
Technical
Used in distilling, spirits classification, and by specialist beverage historians.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hollands”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hollands”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hollands”
- Using 'hollands' as a plural for 'Holland'. (The country is usually 'Holland' or 'the Netherlands').
- Using it as a common term for any gin.
- Not capitalizing it when referring to the spirit (though often lowercase in historical texts).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specific type of gin (jenever) with a different distillation process and often a maltier, fuller flavour compared to London dry gin.
When referring to the spirit, it is often capitalized as it is a proper noun derived from the place name, though lowercase is sometimes seen in historical texts.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialist, or historical term. The more common modern terms are 'Dutch gin' or 'jenever'.
Yes, in Dutch, 'Hollands' can refer to the dialect of Dutch spoken in Holland. In English, this usage is very rare and context-specific; 'Dutch' is the standard term for the language.
A strong, colorless gin originally produced in the Netherlands.
Hollands is usually technical / archaic / historical / specific in register.
Hollands: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒləndz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːləndz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Historical: 'Dutch courage' (bravery induced by alcohol, often associated with gin).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HOLLANDS: Think 'HOLLAND'S Gin' – it comes from the country Holland.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORIGIN AS SUBSTANCE (A product is defined by its place of origin).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Hollands' most specifically?