15 Ways to Drink in English

15 Ways to Drink in English

Hello, English learners 👋 Welcome to a new lesson! Today, we’re looking at 15 different ways to say drink in English. Native speakers rarely use drink alone—instead, they choose verbs that show how, how fast, how much, or in what situation something is drunk.

Some verbs describe the manner of drinking (sip, gulp, slurp), others focus on speed or quantity (chug, guzzle), and some are used in social or formal situations (toast, imbibe).

Let’s dive in 🍹

Sip

Meaning: to drink a small amount slowly, usually to enjoy the taste.

• She sipped her coffee slowly, enjoying its rich aroma.
• You should sip this wine gently to appreciate its complex flavours.

Gulp

Meaning: to swallow liquid quickly, often because you are very thirsty or nervous.

• He gulped down cold water after the intense workout.
• She gulped her drink before speaking in front of the class.

Swig

Meaning: to take a large mouthful of a drink, often straight from a bottle.

• He took a swig of water before continuing the hike.
• She grabbed the bottle and had a quick swig.

Quaff

Meaning: to drink something, especially alcohol, enthusiastically or in large amounts (slightly old-fashioned or humorous).

• They quaffed mugs of cider at the festival.
• He quaffed a pint to celebrate the victory.

Chug

Meaning: to drink something very quickly without stopping.

• He chugged his soda during the challenge.
• She chugged an energy drink just before the match.

Slurp

Meaning: to drink with a loud sucking noise (often considered impolite).

• He slurped his soup without noticing the noise.
• She slurped her iced coffee through a straw.

Imbibe

Meaning: to drink, especially alcohol; formal or humorous in tone.

• Guests imbibed wine while chatting by the fireplace.
• Remember to imbibe plenty of water during long flights.

Swallow

Meaning: to make liquid or food pass down the throat.

• She swallowed the bitter medicine with difficulty.
• He tried to swallow the thick smoothie.

Toast

Meaning: to raise a glass and drink to honour a person or occasion.

• We toasted the newlyweds with champagne.
• Let’s toast to good health and success!

Nibble (figurative use)

Meaning: although usually used for food, it can describe taking very small sips.

• She nibbled at her wine all evening.
• He barely drank—just nibbled at his glass.

Savour

Meaning: to drink slowly in order to fully enjoy the flavour.

• He savoured every sip of his espresso.
• She paused to savour the smoothness of the cocktail.

Drain

Meaning: to finish a drink completely.

• She drained her glass and ordered another.
• He drained his beer in one go.

Chug-a-lug (informal)

Meaning: to drink something quickly in large gulps.

• Everyone shouted “Chug-a-lug!” as he downed his drink.
• He chug-a-lugged a bottle of soda for a dare.

Guzzle

Meaning: to drink a lot, very quickly and greedily.

• The exhausted hikers guzzled water from their bottles.
• He guzzled the drink as if he hadn’t had water all day.

Flow (used metaphorically)

Meaning: used to describe drinks being poured or consumed freely.

• The bartender let the beer flow smoothly into the glasses.
• As the drinks flowed, the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Final tip for learners

When speaking or writing in English, avoid repeating drink. Choosing the right verb helps you sound more natural, descriptive, and confident—especially in exams and real-life conversations.

Small word choice, big difference 🍷

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