Beverage vs. Drink — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 6, 2023
Beverage and Drink both refer to liquids for consumption, but Beverage is more formal and can mean a range of drinks, while Drink is more generic.
Difference Between Beverage and Drink
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Beverage is a term that, in its essence, refers to any type of drinkable liquid. It encompasses a wide variety of liquids, from water to coffee to alcohol. Drink, on the other hand, is a more general term that refers to any liquid that can be consumed. While all beverages are drinks, not all drinks might be considered beverages in a specific context.
Beverage is often used in more formal or specific contexts, like menus or official documents. For example, a hotel might offer a "beverage menu" detailing the variety of teas, coffees, and cocktails they serve. Drink, conversely, has a more casual connotation. If someone says they want a drink, it could mean anything from water to soda to alcohol.
Another subtle distinction lies in the scope of the terms. Beverage seems to emphasize the wide range of drinkable substances, including specialty drinks and concoctions. Drink might be used in a more immediate and direct context, as in "I need a drink of water."
In certain contexts, the word Drink might be associated more closely with alcoholic drinks. For example, when someone says they are "going out for drinks," it typically implies alcoholic beverages. Beverage, in comparison, maintains a neutral stance and could imply alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.
Lastly, in the commercial context, Beverage often refers to a product category. Companies might have a "beverage division" that manages their range of drinkable products. Drink, however, is more consumer-centric, emphasizing the act of drinking rather than the product category.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
More formal and specific.
More generic and casual.
Usage
Often used in menus or businesses.
Used in everyday conversations.
Scope
Emphasizes range of drinkable items.
More immediate and direct context.
Implication
Neutral; can be alcoholic or not.
Often associated with alcohol.
Context
Refers to a product category.
Emphasizes the act of drinking.
Compare with Definitions
Beverage
A drinkable liquid.
She ordered a cold beverage to quench her thirst.
Drink
The act of consuming liquid.
He took a quick drink before continuing the conversation.
Beverage
A formal term for drink used in specific contexts.
The beverage list at the restaurant was extensive.
Drink
Often refers to alcoholic beverages.
They went out for a drink after work.
Beverage
A categorization in the food industry.
The company launched a new beverage line this year.
Drink
A drink (or beverage) is a liquid intended for human consumption. In addition to their basic function of satisfying thirst, drinks play important roles in human culture.
Beverage
A liquid designed for human consumption.
A hot beverage is perfect for chilly evenings.
Drink
To take into the mouth and swallow (a liquid).
Beverage
Any consumable liquid, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
The cafe offers a variety of beverages, including teas and juices.
Drink
To swallow the liquid contents of (a vessel)
Drank a cup of tea.
Beverage
(chiefly in commercial use) a drink other than water.
Drink
To take in or soak up; absorb
Drank the fresh air.
Spongy earth that drank up the rain.
Beverage
Any of various liquids for drinking
The menu lists several beverages, including water, soda, tea, and coffee.
Drink
To take in eagerly through the senses or intellect
Drank in the beauty of the day.
Beverage
A single serving of such a liquid
I ordered a beverage to go with my meal.
Drink
To give or make (a toast).
Beverage
A liquid to consume; a drink, such as tea, coffee, liquor, beer, milk, juice, or soft drinks, usually excluding water.
Drink
To toast (a person or an occasion, for example)
We'll drink your health.
Beverage
(A gift of) drink money.
Drink
To bring to a specific state by drinking alcoholic beverages
Drank our sorrows away.
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.
Drink
To swallow liquid
Drank noisily.
Drink from a goblet.
Beverage
Specifically, a name applied to various kinds of drink.
Drink
To drink alcoholic beverages
They only drink socially.
Beverage
A treat, or drink money.
Drink
To salute a person or an occasion with a toast
We will drink to your continued success.
Beverage
Any liquid suitable for drinking;
May I take your beverage order?
Drink
A liquid that is fit for drinking; a beverage.
Drink
An alcoholic beverage, such as a cocktail or beer.
Drink
Chiefly Southern US See soft drink. tonic
Drink
An amount of liquid swallowed
Took a long drink from the fountain.
Drink
Liquid for drinking
The host provided food and drink.
Drink
Excessive or habitual indulgence in alcoholic liquor.
Drink
(Slang) A body of water; the sea
The hatch cover slid off the boat and into the drink.
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.
Drink
To consume the liquid contained within (a bottle, glass, etc.).
Jack drank the whole bottle by himself.
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.
Drink
(transitive) To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
Drink
(transitive) To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
Drink
A beverage.
I’d like another drink please.
Drink
(uncountable) Drinks in general; something to drink
Drink
A type of beverage (usually mixed).
My favourite drink is the White Russian.
Drink
A (served) alcoholic beverage.
Can I buy you a drink?
Drink
The action of drinking, especially with the verbs take or have.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer.
Drink
Alcoholic beverages in general.
Drink
Any body of water.
If he doesn't pay off the mafia, he’ll wear cement shoes to the bottom of the drink!
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.
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.
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.
Drink
To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
And let the purple violets drink the stream.
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.
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
And some men now live ninety years and past,Who never drank to tobacco first nor last.
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.
Drink
Specifically, intoxicating liquor; as, when drink is on, wit is out.
Drink
A single serving of a beverage;
I asked for a hot drink
Likes a drink before dinner
Drink
The act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess;
Drink was his downfall
Drink
Any liquid suitable for drinking;
May I take your beverage order?
Drink
Any large deep body of water;
He jumped into the drink and had to be rescued
Drink
The act of swallowing;
One swallow of the liquid was enough
He took a drink of his beer and smacked his lips
Drink
Take in liquids;
The patient must drink several liters each day
The children like to drink soda
Drink
Consume alcohol;
We were up drinking all night
Drink
Propose a toast to;
Let us toast the birthday girl!
Let's drink to the New Year
Drink
Be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to;
The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage
Drink
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol; be an alcoholic;
The husband drinks and beats his wife
Drink
A liquid to consume.
She took a long drink from her water bottle.
Drink
Any potable liquid regardless of its properties.
A cold drink is so refreshing on a hot day.
Drink
A general term for all consumable liquids.
There's a variety of drinks in the fridge.
Common Curiosities
Why might a business use the term Beverage over Drink?
"Beverage" is more formal and can refer to a specific category of products in the food and drink industry.
When people say they want a "Drink," do they always mean alcohol?
No, but often in social contexts, "going out for drinks" might imply alcoholic beverages.
How is the term Drink used in everyday language?
Drink is a more generic term and can refer to the act of drinking or any consumable liquid.
Is there a significant difference between Beverage and Drink?
Both refer to consumable liquids, but "beverage" is more formal and broad, while "drink" is more general and casual.
Is every Drink a Beverage?
Yes, every drink can be referred to as a beverage, but not every beverage might be casually termed a drink in specific contexts.
Which term is more suitable for official documents or menus?
"Beverage" is often preferred for its formality and specificity.
Are soft drinks considered Beverages?
Yes, soft drinks are a type of beverage.
What is a Beverage?
A beverage is any drinkable liquid, often used in formal or specific contexts like menus.
Can Beverage refer to alcohol?
Yes, a beverage can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
Can water be termed as a Beverage?
Yes, water is a type of beverage.
How is the term Beverage used in the business context?
Beverage often refers to a product category or division that manages drinkable products.
Can the word Drink be used as a verb?
Yes, "drink" can be used as a verb meaning to consume liquids.
Can the term Drink imply both the action and the substance?
Yes, drink can mean the act of consuming liquid or the liquid itself.
Do both Beverage and Drink have origins in the English language?
Yes, both terms have roots in English, though their etymologies might trace back to different sources.
When talking about a hot cup of coffee, can we use both Beverage and Drink?
Yes, a hot cup of coffee can be referred to as both a hot beverage and a hot drink.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
