alcohol
noun /ˈælkəhɒl/
/ˈælkəhɔːl/
[uncountable]- drinks such as beer, wine, etc. that can make people drunk
- He never drinks alcohol.
- alcohol abuse/use/dependence
- the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption
- Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation.
- Licences to sell alcohol are granted by local councils.
- He was unable to overcome his addiction to alcohol.
Collocations Diet and exerciseDiet and exerciseWeight- put on/gain/lose weight/a few kilos/a few pounds
- watch/control/struggle with your weight
- be/become seriously overweight/underweight
- be/become clinically/morbidly obese
- achieve/facilitate/promote/stimulate weight loss
- slim down to 70 kilos/(British English) 11 stone/(especially North American English) 160 pounds
- combat/prevent/tackle/treat obesity
- develop/have/suffer from/struggle with/recover from anorexia/bulimia/an eating disorder
- be on/go on/follow a crash/strict diet
- have/suffer from a negative/poor body image
- have/develop a positive/healthy body image
- eat a balanced diet/healthily/sensibly
- get/provide/receive adequate/proper nutrition
- contain/get/provide essential nutrients/vitamins/minerals
- be high/low in calories/fat/fibre/protein/vitamin D/Omega-3 fatty acids
- contain (no)/use/be full of/be free from additives/chemical preservatives/artificial sweeteners
- avoid/cut down on/cut out alcohol/caffeine/fatty foods
- stop/give up/ (especially North American English) quit smoking
- (British English) take regular exercise
- do moderate/strenuous/vigorous exercise
- play football/hockey/tennis
- go cycling/jogging/running
- go to/visit/ (especially North American English) hit/work out at the gym
- strengthen/tone/train your stomach muscles
- contract/relax/stretch/use/work your lower-body muscles
- build (up)/gain muscle
- improve/increase your stamina/energy levels/physical fitness
- burn/consume/expend calories
- be/get/keep/stay healthy/in shape/(especially British English) fit
- lower your cholesterol/blood pressure
- boost/stimulate/strengthen your immune system
- prevent/reduce the risk of heart disease/high blood pressure/diabetes/osteoporosis
- reduce/relieve/manage/combat stress
- enhance/promote relaxation/physical and mental well-being
Culture licensing lawslicensing lawsThe sale of alcohol in Britain is controlled by licensing laws. These limit where, when and by whom alcohol may be sold. In order to open a pub or bar the owner must obtain the approval of the local authority, which must be satisfied that he or she is a suitable person to sell alcohol. If the application is approved, the owner obtains a licence to sell alcohol and becomes the licensee. The name of the licensee is displayed above the front door.Many pubs are licensed to sell alcohol for drinking on or off the premises (= in the pub or somewhere else). However, most people buy alcohol for drinking at home in a supermarket or an off-licence (= a shop that sells mainly alcohol). Shops and supermarkets have to obtain a licence, before they can sell alcohol. Nobody under 18 is allowed to buy alcohol, either in a pub or in a shop.The 2003 Licensing Act removed many of the previous limits on opening hours. Pubs can stay open as long as they like on any day, if they have the appropriate licence, but they are only allowed to sell alcohol during official opening hours. Most pubs open for a shorter time on Sundays.In the US there are local laws about when and where alcohol can be sold. Some towns are dry (= no alcohol can be sold there at all). In general, restaurants and bars need a licence to sell beer and wine. In some states alcohol for drinking at home is sold only in special liquor stores; in other places it is sold in any food shop. In some places alcohol may not be sold on certain days, for example Sundays, or Christmas Day.The US has strict laws to try to keep young people from coming into contact with alcohol. The drinking age (= the age at which a person can buy alcohol) is 21, and bars and liquor stores often ask customers for proof of age. In some places, people below 21 cannot work in, or even enter, bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. College students, especially, try to drink in bars by pretending to be older than they are. Young people who work in food shops may have to ask an older employee to serve a customer who wants to buy a bottle of wine. This is also the case in Britain.Extra ExamplesTopics Social issuesb1, Drinksb1- I haven't touched a drop of alcohol for three weeks.
- Most drinkers do not abuse alcohol at all.
- People can find it hard to admit they have an alcohol problem.
- You need to be careful how many units of alcohol you drink in a week.
- A drop of alcohol won't do you any harm.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- excess
- excessive
- pure
- …
- drop
- unit
- bottle
- …
- consume
- drink
- avoid
- …
- content
- level
- consumption
- …
- under the influence of alcohol
- the clear liquid that is found in drinks such as beer, wine, etc. and is used in medicines, cleaning products, etc.
- Wine contains about 10% alcohol.
- The food and drink industry has responded to the demand for low- and no-alcohol drinks.
- levels of alcohol in the blood
- He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- He pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
- low-alcohol beer
- alcohol-free beer
Extra ExamplesTopics Social issuesb1, Physics and chemistryb1, Drinksb1- Is it possible for cars to run on pure alcohol?
- It can take a long time for blood alcohol levels to fall.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- excess
- excessive
- pure
- …
- drop
- unit
- bottle
- …
- consume
- drink
- avoid
- …
- content
- level
- consumption
- …
- under the influence of alcohol
see also absolute alcohol
Word Originmid 16th cent.: French (earlier form of alcool), or from medieval Latin, from Arabic al-kuḥl ‘the kohl’. In early use the term referred to powders, specifically kohl, and especially those obtained by sublimation, when a solid turns directly into a vapour upon heating; later ‘a distilled spirit’ (mid 17th cent.).