Phrase guide

ardent spirits

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • ärʹdnt

1

noun

Meaning 1

Distilled alcoholic liquor such as whiskey, brandy, or vodka; especially, strong variants thereof (higher-proof versions).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, plural-only

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: hard liquor, liquor (narrow sense), strong drink (narrow sense), hard drink (narrow sense), spirits

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: aqua vitae, water of life, eau de vie, hard liquor, liquor, strong drink, hard drink, spirits

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: drink, liquor, booze, strong drink, hard drink, beverage

2

noun

Meaning 2

strong distilled liquor or brandy

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: aqua vitae

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: liquor, spirits, booze, hard drink, hard liquor, John Barleycorn, strong drink

History

Etymology

First attested 1471, from its inflammability; see etymology section of ardent.