What does limeade mean?
Limeade is a citrus beverage made primarily from lime juice and water, usually with added sugar. It may be prepared at home, sold fresh, or sold in bottled or canned form; carbonated versions are also common. Its characteristic flavor is sharper and more aromatic than that of lemonade, although the two drinks are closely related in preparation and use. Limeade is served chilled on its own, over ice, or mixed with sparkling water, mint, or other fruit juices. The word can also denote a broader sweetened citrus soft drink flavored with lime. Although “limeade” is occasionally used in British English for a lime-flavored fruit drink, the term is well established in both British and American English and usually refers to a distinctly lime-based beverage.
nounA drink made with lime juice, water, and usually sugar. The term may also refer more broadly to a sweetened citrus drink flavored with lime.
- A beverage made from lime juice, water, and usually sugar.
- A sweetened drink flavored with lime, sometimes made with additional fruit juices or carbonated water.
"She ordered a chilled glass of limeade with a sprig of mint."
"The café serves fresh limeade during the summer."
"Mix the limeade with sparkling water for a lighter drink."
Used when referring to individual servings, varieties, or separate drinks.
"The vendor sold several kinds of limeades, including mint and strawberry."
Swap lemon for lime and the result is a bright, tart classic: limeade is lemonade's sharper citrus cousin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does limeade come from?
Limeade developed as an alteration of lemonade, replacing the “lemon” element with “lime.” The suffix “-ade” in such drink names was borrowed from French, where it is used in words such as limonade and orangade to form names of beverages made from fruit, water, and sugar. Cognates including lemonade, orangeade, and citronade reflect this shared French pattern.
How limeade is actually used
Limeade is usually an uncountable name for the beverage, although “a limeade” is standard when referring to one serving or glass. Recipes and menus vary considerably, so the drink may be noncarbonated and freshly made, or commercially bottled and sometimes carbonated.
Easily confused with limeade
Limeade is made with lime juice, whereas lemonade is made with lemon juice.