What does wine mean?
Wine is an alcoholic drink produced by fermenting grape juice and is one of the most widely recognized products of viticulture. In its dominant sense, it refers to the finished drink rather than the grape itself, although the word’s history connects the two. Wine may be still or sparkling, and its color, body, sweetness, and aroma help describe different styles. The term is generally neutral, but cultural uses can suggest celebration, sophistication, ritual, indulgence, or excess. In conversation, wine is usually treated as a mass noun—“a bottle of wine” or “a glass of wine”—while “wines” refers to separate examples, vintages, or types. The word is shared by British and American English without a major standard regional distinction. Beyond its everyday role at meals, wine has long been central to ceremonies, literature, art, and the study of agriculture and fermentation.
An alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grape juice; more broadly, a fermented alcoholic drink made from other fruits.
"A glass of white wine accompanied the meal."
Usually an uncountable mass noun when referring to wine as a drink, although the plural wines is used for distinct wines, vintages, or varieties.
Chiefly archaic: to entertain someone with wine; in the phrase wine and dine, to feast lavishly.
"They wined and dined before setting out again."
Now mainly literary or archaic except in the established expression wine and dine.
Used for separate examples, vintages, varieties, or bottles of wine.
"This region produces several excellent wines."
English wine descends from Latin vinum through Old English, so a modern label carries a Roman relic in its name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wine come from?
Modern English wine descends from Old English wīn, which was borrowed from Latin vīnum, the Latin word for wine. Latin vīnum also became the source of cognates and derivatives in several European languages. The same Latin foundation is reflected in English words such as vintage, vin, vinous, and vintner.
Related word forms
How wine is actually used
Wine is a generally neutral term, although its cultural associations can suggest celebration, sophistication, ritual, indulgence, or excess. British and American English overlap closely, with no major standard regional distinction. As a noun, it is normally used as a mass noun when referring to the drink in general.
Easily confused with wine
A whine is a complaint expressed in a high-pitched or complaining voice, whereas wine is an alcoholic drink.