Whiskey

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈwɪski/
• Rhymes: -ɪski

Alternative forms

• whisky England, Scotland, Canada

Origin

From Irish uisce beatha and Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha, calque of Latin aqua vitae, from Proto-Celtic *udenskyos ("water") + Proto-Celtic *biwotos ("life").

Full definition of whiskey

Noun

1. (Ireland, US) A liquor distilled from the fermented mash of grain (as rye, corn, or barley).
2. (Ireland, US) A drink of whiskey.
3. The letter W in the ICAO spelling alphabet.

Usage notes

The regional spellings whiskey and whisky are also used world-wide to distinguish regional drinks, for example bourbon whiskey, but Scotch whisky.

Derived terms

• whiskey dick