What does liquoring mean?
“Liquoring” is an uncommon verb form meaning to drink alcohol, especially heavily or habitually. It can describe a person spending an evening drinking with friends, but it is also used figuratively to suggest behaviour made careless, aggressive, or unreliable by alcohol. The word has a somewhat old-fashioned and strongly American flavour and is unlikely to appear in everyday neutral English today, although it remains clear in context. Its figurative use often carries moral disapproval, especially when applied to public figures or people whose conduct is being judged. Modern speakers will usually choose “drinking,” “boozing,” or “tippling,” which range from neutral to explicitly critical depending on tone. The historical form survives in phrases such as “liquoring up,” while its older associations also shaped the use of “liquor” to mean distilled alcoholic drink.
verbDrinking alcoholic beverages, especially heavily or as a habit. It is also used figuratively to describe someone whose behavior has been weakened or altered by alcohol.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages, especially heavily or habitually.
- Acting or behaving in a way weakened or altered by alcohol.
"He spent the evening liquoring with friends at the bar."
"They spent the afternoon liquoring at the harbour."
"The allegations of liquoring had damaged the politician’s reputation."
The word “liquoring” captures not only drinking alcohol but also the way alcohol can cloud a person’s judgment and behaviour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does liquoring come from?
The verb ultimately derives from the same source as the noun “liquor”: Latin liquor, meaning “liquid” or “fluid,” passed into English through Old French liquour. The noun originally referred to liquid or moisture and later came to mean an alcoholic beverage, especially a distilled spirit. The verbal use meaning to drink alcohol developed later and is now chiefly associated with American English. Related English words such as “liquid,” “liquefy,” and “liquidate” continue to reflect the Latin root for wetness or liquidity.
Related word forms
How liquoring is actually used
This form is now uncommon in formal writing. It is encountered mainly in older or strongly American English, and it can sound deliberately disparaging when used of a person’s behaviour.
Easily confused with liquoring
“Liquorice” is a plant and the sweet confectionery or flavouring made from it, whereas “liquoring” refers to drinking alcohol.