wineglass
B1Everyday, standard, slightly formal. Rare in highly technical contexts unless discussing glassware or quantities.
Definition
Meaning
A drinking glass, typically with a stem and foot, specifically designed for drinking wine.
The amount of liquid a wineglass holds; a small alcoholic serving, typically 125-175ml; a specific style of glassware for tasting and consuming different varieties of wine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to the object, not the liquid itself. Often denotes a specific measure in cooking or health guidelines. The word is primarily a compound noun; its meaning is more specific than the sum of its parts (a glass for wine, not just any glass containing wine at the moment).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning. Occasionally spelled as two words ('wine glass') more often in US publications, but the compound form is standard in both.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equal frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
break a wineglasshold a wineglass by the stempour wine into a wineglassconsume a wineglass of water (measure)toast with wineglassesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. (indirect, related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in hospitality, catering, and retail (e.g., 'ordering new wineglasses for the restaurant').
Academic
Rare, except in historical or material culture studies (e.g., '17th-century Venetian wineglasses').
Everyday
Common in social and domestic contexts (e.g., 'Can you pass me a wineglass?').
Technical
Used in oenology (wine science) and glass manufacturing, specifying bowl shape and size for different wines.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The caterer will wineglass the tables before the guests arrive. (rare, informal)
American English
- She quickly wineglassed the place settings. (rare, informal)
adjective
British English
- The wineglass silhouette of the vase was elegant.
American English
- We admired the wineglass-shaped elm tree in the yard.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I drink water from a wineglass.
- She bought a new wineglass.
- He carefully washed the delicate wineglass.
- Could I have a wineglass for the red wine, please?
- The recipe calls for a wineglass of brandy, which is about 120ml.
- The waiter presented the sommelier with a suspicious wineglass for inspection.
- The fragility of the lead-crystal wineglass made it a prized, yet impractical, heirloom.
- Oenologists argue that the shape of the wineglass profoundly affects the perception of aroma and taste.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two parts: WINE goes in a GLASS. It's a glass for wine, not water or juice.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR PLEASURE/CELEBRATION (e.g., 'raise a wineglass to happiness').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'стакан' (tumbler/glass for water) или 'рюмка' (shot glass/small stemmed glass for vodka). 'Wineglass' — это именно 'бокал для вина'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'wine glass' as two separate words in formal writing (acceptable but less common). Confusing 'wineglass' (object) with 'glass of wine' (the drink).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most specific meaning of 'wineglass'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'wineglass' (compound) and 'wine glass' (open) are used. The compound form is slightly more common in standard dictionaries and formal writing.
Yes, informally it can mean a small serving, roughly 125-175ml, often used in older recipes or health guidelines (e.g., 'two wineglasses of water').
A goblet is a type of wineglass, but the term often implies a older, ceremonial, or larger style with a wide bowl and heavy stem. Modern 'wineglasses' are more varied and specialised.
It is grammatically correct but can sound redundant. 'A glass of wine' is the more common and natural phrase. 'A wineglass of wine' emphasises the type of glass or is used when contrasting with other glass types.