alcohol
gb/ˈælkəhˌɑl/ us/ˈælkəhˌɑl/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Drinks with ethanol
A drink like beer, wine, or whiskey that can make you drunk.
Usage pattern:
drink [alcohol]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'alcohol' with 'liquor' or 'beer', not realizing alcohol is the general substance in all alcoholic drinks.
Synonyms
liquor (More commonly used in American English for strong alcoholic drinks like whiskey or vodka.)
|
booze (Informal and slightly slangy term for any alcoholic drink.)
Antonyms
non-alcoholic drink (A drink that does not contain ethanol, such as juice or soda.)
Collocations
drink alcohol
|alcohol consumption
|alcohol abuse
|alcohol addiction
|alcohol ban
Themes
food
|health
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- He decided to stop drinking alcohol for his health.
- The store does not sell alcohol to anyone under 21.
- Too much alcohol can damage your liver.
- Alcohol is served in most restaurants here.
- She avoids alcohol because it gives her headaches.
Learner examples
- I do not drink alcohol.
- Beer is a type of alcohol.
- He had too much alcohol last night.
- Alcohol can make people feel happy or sad.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Ethanol as a chemical substance
A clear liquid called ethanol that is in drinks like beer and wine, and also used in industry.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'alcohol' in chemistry refers specifically to ethanol and not just drinks.
Synonyms
ethanol (Scientific term for the specific chemical compound.)
Antonyms
water (A non-flammable liquid with very different properties from ethanol.)
Collocations
ethyl alcohol
|alcohol solution
|alcohol content
Themes
science
|chemistry
Examples
- Pure alcohol is often used in laboratories.
- The hand sanitizer contains 70% alcohol.
- Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water.
- Alcohol can be used as a fuel in some engines.
Learner examples
- Alcohol is used in medicine.
- Alcohol burns easily.
- Some cars can run on alcohol.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Organic compound with -OH group
In science, a type of chemical that has an -OH group attached to carbon.
Common mistake:
Learners often think 'alcohol' only means ethanol, not realizing it includes many chemicals with the same functional group.
Synonyms
hydroxyl compound (More descriptive but less common term for this chemical category.)
Collocations
methanol alcohol
|isopropyl alcohol
Themes
science
|chemistry
Examples
- Methanol is a toxic type of alcohol.
- Isopropyl alcohol is used as a disinfectant.
- Alcohols are important in many chemical reactions.
Learner examples
- Methanol is a dangerous alcohol.
- Some alcohols are used for cleaning.
- Not all alcohols are for drinking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
alcohol
IPA
GB/ˈælkəhˌɑl/
US/ˈælkəhˌɑl/
Syllables & stress
al - co - hol (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: alcohol
- Plural: alcohol, alcohols
Word family
Forms
alcohols
noun
Core family
alcoholic
adjective B1
alcoholism
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
non-alcoholic
adjective
alcohol-free
adjective
Expressions
alcohol abuse
1/ˈælkəhˌɑl əbjˈus/
fixed phrase
Harmful overuse of alcohol
Using too much alcohol in a way that hurts health or life.
Examples
- Alcohol abuse can lead to serious health problems.
- Programs are available to help people stop alcohol abuse.
alcohol content
1/ˈælkəhˌɑl kˈɑntɛnt/
fixed phrase
Amount of ethanol present
How much alcohol is in a drink or other product.
Examples
- This wine has an alcohol content of 12%.
- Check the label for the alcohol content before drinking.
under the influence of alcohol
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə ˈɪnfluəns əv ˈælkəhˌɑl/
fixed phrase
Affected by drinking alcohol
Having drunk enough alcohol to change how you think or act.
Examples
- The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- You should not operate machinery under the influence of alcohol.
alcohol dependence
1/ˈælkəhˌɑl dɪpˈɛndəns/
fixed phrase
Condition of needing alcohol regularly
A health problem where a person cannot stop drinking alcohol and feels bad without it.
Examples
- He sought treatment for his alcohol dependence.
- He sought treatment for alcohol dependence after losing his job.
- Alcohol dependence can be difficult to overcome without help.
- Alcohol dependence can slowly damage the liver and other organs.
- Support groups can help people who are living with alcohol dependence.