whisky

American

[hwis-kee, wis-] / ˈʰwɪs ki, ˈwɪs- /

noun

plural

whiskies

whiskey (used especially for Scotch or Canadian whiskey).

whisky British

/ ˈwɪskɪ /

noun

a spirit made by distilling fermented cereals, which is matured and often blended

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of whisky

C18: shortened from whiskybae, from Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, literally: water of life; see _usquebaugh

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He read news articles about the “Dear Leader” drinking expensive whisky during North Korea’s massive famine in the late 1990s.

From The Wall Street Journal

When offered a “terrific Japanese malt,” he silently observes: “I hate whisky. Meths for people with money.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Scottish salmon has retained its position as the UK's biggest food export, while exports of Scotch whisky have dropped, according to new figures.

From BBC

The trip also saw an agreement to cut import taxes on UK whisky from 10% to 5%, as the government seeks closer trade ties with Beijing to help boost economic growth.

From BBC

The Tokyo trip marks the end of Sir Keir's diplomatic meetings in East Asia in which he secured a reduction in tariffs on whisky and the introduction of visa-free travel to China for British citizens.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023