Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An alcoholic liquor originally distilled from fermented wheat mash but now also made from a mash of rye, corn, or potatoes.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A sort of whisky or brandy generally drunk in Russia, properly distilled from rye, but sometimes from potatoes.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A Russian drink distilled from rye.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A clear distilled alcoholic liquor made from grain mash
  • noun A serving of the above beverage
  • noun Neutral spirits distilled (or treated after distillation) so as to have no distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun unaged colorless liquor originating in Russia

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Russian, diminutive of voda, water; see wed- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Slavic voda, woda, meaning water, plus the diminutive suffix -ka. Historical documentary research of V. Pokhlyobkin suggests the derivation via the usage "dilution (of distillate) with water", as used in expressions "vodka of grain wine" and similar; хлебное вино ("grain wine") is an archaic Russian name for vodka.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word vodka.

Examples

  • I was searching the word vodka and I found a blog, Blogger.

    Down and Delirious in Mexico City Daniel Hernandez 2011

  • I was searching the word vodka and I found a blog, Blogger.

    Down and Delirious in Mexico City Daniel Hernandez 2011

  • I was searching the word vodka and I found a blog, Blogger.

    Down and Delirious in Mexico City Daniel Hernandez 2011

  • Citrus vodka is just lemon flavored vodka, and isn't necessary - plain vodka is fine.

    Recipe: Gravlax Laurie Constantino 2008

  • Your vodka is about to mixed with all kinds of crazy stuff.

    The Perfect Sunday Morning Bloody Mary | Lifehacker Australia 2008

  • And, yes, the network that's afraid of the word "vodka" NBC has renamed

    Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis Lisa de Moraes 2011

  • I juice them at home or purchase the refrigerated juice the lovely people at POM sell at local stores (in the refrigerated section) to mix with Charbay Vodka in Meyer Lemon or Blood Orange (their pomegranate flavored vodka is wonderful too) or in very girlie pomegranate cocktails made with sparkling wine and PAMA liqueur.

    Taste: Dried Pomegranate Arils 2009

  • I juice them at home or purchase the refrigerated juice the lovely people at POM sell at local stores (in the refrigerated section) to mix with Charbay Vodka in Meyer Lemon or Blood Orange (their pomegranate flavored vodka is wonderful too) or in very girlie pomegranate cocktails made with sparkling wine and PAMA liqueur.

    Taste: Dried Pomegranate Arils 2009

  • I juice them at home or purchase the refrigerated juice the lovely people at POM sell at local stores (in the refrigerated section) to mix with Charbay Vodka in Meyer Lemon or Blood Orange (their pomegranate flavored vodka is wonderful too) or in very girlie pomegranate cocktails made with sparkling wine and PAMA liqueur.

    Food and Drink 2009

  • Then I poured in vodka until it reached the top of the candy.

    I am either attracted or repelled - can't decide. The Nag 2009

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Try Cold River Vodka, distilled from Maine Potatoes. Very good stuff.

    November 7, 2008

  • Comes in handy sometimes.

    September 24, 2010

  • Sometimes?

    September 24, 2010

  • See Clamato.

    October 1, 2010