Beverage vs. Drink: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
A beverage is any liquid for drinking, often excluding water, focusing on flavored or alcoholic drinks; a drink broadly includes any liquid consumed, including water.
Key Differences
The term 'beverage' often implies a drink that is prepared and flavored, such as tea, coffee, or juice. It commonly excludes plain water. Conversely, 'drink' is a more general term that encompasses all liquids suitable for consumption, including water, milk, and even beverages.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Beverages usually denote commercially produced drinks, like sodas or spirits. They are often associated with a specific preparation process or ingredients. In contrast, a drink can be any fluid consumed for hydration or pleasure, including a simple glass of water or a cup of tea.
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Dec 26, 2023
In certain contexts, 'beverage' is used to refer to alcoholic drinks specifically, distinguishing them from non-alcoholic options. 'Drink', however, is a versatile term used in both casual and formal contexts to refer to any liquid, whether it's a cocktail or a sports drink.
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Dec 26, 2023
Cultural and regional variations also play a role in these definitions. In some regions, 'beverage' might be used more formally, while 'drink' is often the colloquial choice for referring to any liquid one consumes.
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Dec 26, 2023
Marketing and branding often use 'beverage' to imply a certain quality or specialty aspect, such as in 'beverage menu' at restaurants. 'Drink', being a broader term, is used in various contexts, from health (drink plenty of water) to social (let’s go out for a drink).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Specially prepared or flavored liquid for consumption.
Any liquid consumed for hydration or pleasure.
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Dec 26, 2023
Alcoholic Reference
Sometimes specifically refers to alcoholic drinks.
Encompasses both alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids.
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Dec 26, 2023
Cultural Usage
May imply a specialty or quality aspect.
Commonly used in casual and everyday contexts.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Beverage and Drink Definitions
Beverage
A commercially produced drink, often flavored or alcoholic.
The new beverage line includes exotic fruit juices.
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Dec 26, 2023
Drink
Any liquid that can be consumed.
For hydration, it's important to drink water regularly.
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Dec 26, 2023
Beverage
A liquid specifically prepared for human consumption.
I prefer a hot beverage like coffee in the mornings.
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Dec 26, 2023
Drink
A term encompassing both alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids.
At the bar, you can choose your drink from a wide selection.
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Dec 26, 2023
Beverage
A drink served during meals or social gatherings.
Wine is a popular beverage at formal dinners.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Drink
A liquid used for medicinal or health purposes.
The doctor recommended a warm drink before bed to help with sleep.
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Dec 26, 2023
Beverage
Any drinkable fluid that is not water.
At the party, a variety of beverages were served, from soda to lemonade.
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Dec 26, 2023
Beverage
A non-solid form of nourishment or refreshment.
Many athletes consume a sports beverage during workouts.
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Dec 26, 2023
Beverage
Any of various liquids for drinking
The menu lists several beverages, including water, soda, tea, and coffee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To take in or soak up; absorb
Drank the fresh air.
Spongy earth that drank up the rain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beverage
A single serving of such a liquid
I ordered a beverage to go with my meal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To take in eagerly through the senses or intellect
Drank in the beauty of the day.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beverage
A liquid to consume; a drink, such as tea, coffee, liquor, beer, milk, juice, or soft drinks, usually excluding water.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To toast (a person or an occasion, for example)
We'll drink your health.
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Oct 19, 2023
Beverage
Liquid for drinking; drink; - usually applied to drink artificially prepared and of an agreeable flavor; as, an intoxicating beverage.
He knew no beverage but the flowing stream.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To bring to a specific state by drinking alcoholic beverages
Drank our sorrows away.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To salute a person or an occasion with a toast
We will drink to your continued success.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
(Slang) A body of water; the sea
The hatch cover slid off the boat and into the drink.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
(ambitransitive) To consume (a liquid) through the mouth.
He drank the water I gave him.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To consume the liquid contained within (a bottle, glass, etc.).
Jack drank the whole bottle by himself.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
(intransitive) To consume alcoholic beverages.
You've been drinking, haven't you?
No thanks, I don't drink.
Everyone who is drinking is drinking, but not everyone who is drinking is drinking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
(transitive) To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
(transitive) To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
A type of beverage (usually mixed).
My favourite drink is the White Russian.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
The action of drinking, especially with the verbs take or have.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Any body of water.
If he doesn't pay off the mafia, he’ll wear cement shoes to the bottom of the drink!
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To swallow anything liquid, for quenching thirst or other purpose; to imbibe; to receive or partake of, as if in satisfaction of thirst; as, to drink from a spring.
Gird thyself, and serve me, till have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink.
He shall drink of the wrath the Almighty.
Drink of the cup that can not cloy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To quaff exhilarating or intoxicating liquors, in merriment or feasting; to carouse; to revel; hence, to lake alcoholic liquors to excess; to be intemperate in the se of intoxicating or spirituous liquors; to tipple.
And they drank, and were merry with him.
Bolingbroke always spoke freely when he had drunk freely.
I drink to the general joy of the whole table,And to our dear friend Banquo.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To swallow (a liquid); to receive, as a fluid, into the stomach; to imbibe; as, to drink milk or water.
There lies she with the blessed gods in bliss,There drinks the nectar with ambrosia mixed.
The bowl of punch which was brewed and drunk in Mrs. Betty's room.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
And let the purple violets drink the stream.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
To drink the cooler air,
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred wordsOf that tongue's utterance.
Let me . . . drink delicious poison from thy eye.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
And some men now live ninety years and past,Who never drank to tobacco first nor last.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Liquid to be swallowed; any fluid to be taken into the stomach for quenching thirst or for other purposes, as water, coffee, or decoctions.
Give me some drink, Titinius.
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
A single serving of a beverage;
I asked for a hot drink
Likes a drink before dinner
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
The act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess;
Drink was his downfall
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Any large deep body of water;
He jumped into the drink and had to be rescued
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
The act of swallowing;
One swallow of the liquid was enough
He took a drink of his beer and smacked his lips
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Take in liquids;
The patient must drink several liters each day
The children like to drink soda
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Propose a toast to;
Let us toast the birthday girl!
Let's drink to the New Year
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to;
The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol; be an alcoholic;
The husband drinks and beats his wife
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Oct 19, 2023
Drink
A liquid ingested for nourishment, hydration, or pleasure.
She ordered a cold drink to cool off on the hot day.
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Dec 26, 2023
Drink
A specific serving of a liquid.
He had one drink of soda before switching to water.
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Dec 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is coffee a beverage or a drink?
Coffee is both a beverage and a drink; it’s a beverage due to its preparation and flavor.
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Dec 26, 2023
Are all beverages drinks?
Yes, all beverages are types of drinks, but not all drinks are considered beverages.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'drink' refer to alcohol?
Yes, 'drink' can refer to alcoholic liquids as well as non-alcoholic ones.
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Dec 26, 2023
Are smoothies considered beverages?
Yes, smoothies are considered beverages as they are specially prepared drinks.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is tea a drink or a beverage?
Tea is both a drink and a beverage, the latter due to its preparation process.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is milk a drink or a beverage?
Milk is commonly referred to as a drink, but can also be a beverage, especially when flavored or in lattes.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is water considered a beverage?
Typically, water is not classified as a beverage; it’s more broadly categorized as a drink.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'drink' be used as a verb and a noun?
Yes, 'drink' can be both a verb (to drink something) and a noun (a drink).
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Dec 26, 2023
Are energy drinks beverages?
Yes, energy drinks are classified as beverages due to their specific ingredients and purpose.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'beverage' refer to a hot drink?
Yes, hot drinks like tea or coffee are also considered beverages.
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Dec 26, 2023
Does 'drink' encompass both hot and cold liquids?
Yes, 'drink' includes all liquids, hot or cold.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can the term 'drink' imply food and liquid?
No, 'drink' specifically refers to liquids only.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is a beverage more formal than a drink?
Often, 'beverage' is used in more formal or commercial contexts compared to 'drink'.
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Dec 26, 2023
Do beverages always contain calories?
Not necessarily; some beverages, like diet sodas, may contain few or no calories.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is juice a drink or a beverage?
Juice is both a drink and a beverage, especially when commercially produced.
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Dec 26, 2023
Do restaurants differentiate between drinks and beverages on menus?
Some might, using 'beverages' for specialty or alcoholic drinks and 'drinks' for a broader range.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is the term 'beverage' used more in marketing?
Yes, 'beverage' is often used in marketing to denote specialty or quality drinks.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Are drinks served at a bar always beverages?
Generally, yes, since they are prepared and often contain alcohol or flavorings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can 'drink' be used in a formal dining context?
Yes, though 'beverage' might be more common in very formal settings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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