sundowners

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformalBritish

   Alcoholic drinks taken in the evening, especially while watching the sun set.

   Grammar: Plural of sundowner; often used with have or enjoy.

   Patterns

   • have sundowners
   • sundowners on the terrace

   We had sundowners on the balcony after the safari.

   The hotel serves sundowners by the pool.

   They met for sundowners after a hot day on the beach.

2. 2nounpluralmedical

   Evening symptoms of confusion that some elderly people feel as daylight fades.

   Grammar: Often used with the as in the condition called sundowners.

   Patterns

   • suffer from sundowners

   Her grandfather experiences sundowners and becomes restless at dusk.

   Nurses monitor patients with sundowners more closely at night.

   Bright lighting can help reduce sundowners.

Word forms

Common combinations

enjoy sundowners

Guests enjoy sundowners on the lodge deck.

meet for sundowners

Let's meet for sundowners at six.

sundowners on the beach

We watched sundowners on the beach turn into dinner.

sundowners at the bar

Sundowners at the bar are always busy.

safari sundowners

Safari sundowners are a highlight of the trip.

Synonyms and how they differ

cocktails

Cocktails are mixed drinks and can be taken at any time, but sundowners are tied to sunset.

evening drinks

Evening drinks is a plain description with no link to watching the sun go down.

aperitifs

Aperitifs are drinks before dinner meant to stimulate appetite, rather than drinks at sunset.

nightcaps

Nightcaps are drinks taken just before bed, later in the evening than sundowners.

Word family

sundowner noun

one such drink or event

sundown noun

the time when the sun sets

sunset noun

the daily disappearance of the sun

sundowning noun

increased confusion in the evening in some patients

Commonly confused: sundowners or sundaes?

Practice

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