cordials

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralBritishAustralian

   Sweet, strongly flavored fruit drinks that are mixed with water before being drunk.

   Grammar: Plural of cordial: one cordial, several cordials.

   Patterns

   • elderflower cordials

   She poured two glasses of lime cordials for the children.

   The shop sells fruit cordials in many flavors.

   We made cordials from elderflowers last summer.

2. 2nounpluralAmerican

   Sweet alcoholic drinks flavored with fruit, herbs or spices, usually served in small glasses.

   Grammar: Mainly American usage: cordials are another word for liqueurs.

   Patterns

   • cordials after dinner

   They offered cordials after dinner.

   The bar has a shelf of fruit cordials.

   Herbal cordials were served in tiny glasses.

Word forms

Common combinations

fruit cordials

Fruit cordials are popular in summer.

homemade cordials

Her homemade cordials were a hit.

dilute cordials

Dilute the cordials with cold water.

elderflower cordials

Elderflower cordials taste floral and sweet.

serve cordials

The host served cordials by the fire.

Synonyms and how they differ

squash

Squash is the British word for a diluted fruit drink and is non-alcoholic, like the British sense of cordial.

liqueurs

Liqueurs are always alcoholic, matching the American sense of cordials.

syrups

Syrups are thicker and used mainly for flavoring, while cordials are for drinking when diluted.

Word family

cordial adjective

warm and friendly

cordially adverb

in a warm, friendly way

cordiality noun

warmth and friendliness

cordial noun

one such drink

Commonly confused: cordials or cordial (adjective)?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “cordials”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words