What does quaff mean?
Quaff means to drink deeply or in large gulps, often quickly and with conspicuous enthusiasm. The verb can be transitive, as in “quaff a pint,” or intransitive, as in “They quaffed until the glasses were empty.” As a noun, a quaff is an act of drinking deeply or a drink consumed in that manner. The word has a lively, old-fashioned, and sometimes humorous register, making it especially effective in literary descriptions of rowdy celebrations, pirate scenes, and comic excess. Although it is fully understood in modern British and American English, “gulp” or “swig” is more common in everyday speech. Quaff conveys not merely consumption but the manner of drinking: deeply, rapidly, and often with a degree of abandon. Its dramatic sound also makes it useful for evoking atmosphere or exaggeration rather than giving a neutral report of what someone drank.
To drink deeply or in large gulps.
"He quaffed the entire glass of lemonade before sitting down."
Often transitive with a drink as its object, though it can also be used intransitively. The tone is literary, humorous, or exaggerated.
An act of drinking deeply, or a drink taken in this way.
"She finished the bottle in one enthusiastic quaff."
The noun is less common than the verb and has a playful or literary tone.
Quaff is the literary word for the kind of enthusiastic drinking that makes an ordinary glass sound like a challenge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quaff come from?
Quaff entered English in the late 16th century from German quellen, meaning “to drink deeply” or “to gulp.” The German word is historically connected with notions of swelling, gushing, or flowing, although its deeper origin is uncertain. English later developed both the verb and the noun forms, and the word has retained its associations with large, vigorous drinks.
Related word forms
How quaff is actually used
Quaff is literary, humorous, or deliberately old-fashioned in tone. It is more dramatic and expressive than simply saying “drink,” and it commonly suggests drinking with great speed or enthusiasm.
Easily confused with quaff
To quench a thirst is to satisfy it, while to quaff is to drink a drink deeply and quickly.