Liquor vs. Liquid: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
Liquor is an alcoholic drink, especially distilled spirits; Liquid is any substance with a flowing, fluid consistency.
Key Differences
Liquor and Liquid, while closely related in phonetic sound, differ substantially in their meanings. Liquor, in the most common context, refers to alcoholic beverages, specifically those that have been distilled, like whiskey or vodka. Liquid, on the other hand, is a broader term, signifying any substance that flows freely and changes shape at a steady rate.
It's imperative to note that while all liquors are liquids, not all liquids are liquors. Liquor, being an alcoholic drink, has a particular consumption purpose, often recreational. Liquid, with its vast scope, can range from water to molten metal.
Over the ages, the word "Liquor" has acquired cultural and social significances. Events like "Liquor bans" or "Liquor licenses" underline its importance in society. Liquid, due to its broad applicability, doesn't carry such specific cultural weight, but is vital in science, especially in physics and chemistry.
Liquor, apart from its alcoholic connotation, can also be used in culinary contexts to describe rich liquid in which something is steeped or cooked. Liquid, maintaining its versatile nature, remains the go-to word to describe the state of matter between solid and gas.
When dealing with health or legal matters, understanding the distinction is crucial. Consuming too much liquor can have health implications, and its sale is regulated in many places. Liquid, being a neutral term, lacks these connotations unless specified, like in "hazardous liquid."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Alcoholic beverage, especially distilled spirits
Substance that flows freely
Use
Consumption, recreational purposes
Wide-ranging, from drinking to industrial use
Cultural Weight
Significant due to societal norms
Neutral, but vital in science
States of Matter
Always in liquid form
Can exist in different forms (e.g. vapor)
Examples
Whiskey, Vodka
Water, Oil, Air (when vaporized)
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Liquor and Liquid Definitions
Liquor
A solution of a substance, especially a concentrated one used in analysis
The chemist prepared a liquor of the compound for testing.
Liquid
A substance that flows freely
Water is a clear liquid.
Liquor
A strong alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and then distillation
Many people enjoy a glass of liquor in the evening.
Liquid
The state of matter with a definite volume but no fixed shape
Ice turns into a liquid when it melts.
Liquor
Liquid in which something has been steeped or cooked
The soup had a rich liquor after simmering for hours.
Liquid
A substance in a wet or undried state
The artist used liquid paint for his masterpiece.
Liquor
To supply with liquor.
Liquid
The state of matter in which a substance exhibits a characteristic readiness to flow and little or no tendency to disperse, and is amorphous but has a fixed volume and is difficult to compress.
Liquor
An alcoholic beverage made by distillation rather than by fermentation.
Liquid
Matter or a specific body of matter in this state.
Liquor
A rich broth resulting from the prolonged cooking of meat or vegetables, especially greens. Also called pot liquor.
Liquid
(Linguistics) A consonant articulated without friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel, such as English l and r.
Liquor
An aqueous solution of a nonvolatile substance.
Liquid
Of or being a liquid.
Liquor
A solution, emulsion, or suspension for industrial use.
Liquid
Melted by heating
Liquid wax.
Liquor
To steep (malt, for example).
Liquid
Condensed by cooling
Liquid oxygen.
Liquor
(Slang) To make drunk with alcoholic liquor. Often used with up
Was all liquored up.
Liquid
Flowing readily; fluid
Added milk to make the batter more liquid.
Liquor
(obsolete) A liquid, a fluid.
Liquid
Having a flowing quality without harshness or abrupt breaks
Liquid prose.
The liquid movements of a ballet dancer.
Liquor
(obsolete) A drinkable liquid.
Liquid
(Linguistics) Articulated without friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel.
Liquor
A liquid obtained by cooking meat or vegetables (or both).
Liquid
Clear and shining
The liquid brown eyes of a spaniel.
Liquor
A parsley sauce commonly served with traditional pies and mash.
Liquid
Existing as or readily convertible into cash
Liquid assets.
Liquor
Strong alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and distillation; more broadly, any alcoholic drink.
Liquid
A substance that is flowing, and keeping no shape, such as water; a substance of which the molecules, while not tending to separate from one another like those of a gas, readily change their relative position, and which therefore retains no definite shape, except that determined by the containing receptacle; an inelastic fluid.
A liquid can freeze to become a solid or evaporate into a gas.
Liquor
In process industry, a liquid in which a desired reaction takes place, e.g. pulping liquor is a mixture of chemicals and water which breaks wood into its components, thus facilitating the extraction of cellulose.
Liquid
(phonetics) Any of a class of consonant sounds that includes l and r.
Liquor
A liquid in which something has been steeped.
Liquid
Flowing freely like water; fluid; not solid and not gaseous; composed of particles that move freely among each other on the slightest pressure.
Liquid nitrogen
Liquor
(intransitive) To drink liquor, usually to excess.
Liquid
Easily sold or disposed of without losing value.
Liquor
(transitive) To cause someone to drink liquor, usually to excess.
Liquid
Having sufficient trading activity to make buying or selling easy.
Liquor
To grease.
Liquid
Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones.
A liquid melody
Liquor
Any liquid substance, as water, milk, blood, sap, juice, or the like.
Liquid
(phonology) Belonging to a class of consonants comprised of the laterals and the rhotics, which in many languages behave similarly.
Liquor
Specifically, alcoholic or spirituous fluid, either distilled or fermented, as brandy, wine, whisky, beer, etc.
Liquid
Fluid and transparent.
The liquid air
Liquor
A solution of a medicinal substance in water; - distinguished from tincture and aqua.
Liquid
Flowing freely like water; fluid; not solid.
Yea, though he go upon the plane and liquid water which will receive no step.
Liquor
To grease.
Liquor fishermen's boots.
Liquid
Being in such a state that the component molecules move freely among themselves, but have a definite volume changing only slightly with changes of pressure, and do not tend to separate from each other as the particles of gases and vapors do when the volume of the container is increased; neither solid nor gaseous; as, liquid mercury, in distinction from mercury solidified or in a state of vapor.
Liquor
Distilled rather than fermented
Liquid
Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones.
Liquor
A liquid substance that is a solution (or emulsion or suspension) used or obtained in an industrial process;
Waste liquors
Liquid
Pronounced without any jar or harshness; smooth; as, l and r are liquid letters.
Liquor
The liquid in which vegetables or meat have be cooked
Liquid
Fluid and transparent; as, the liquid air.
Liquor
A distilled alcoholic beverage
I prefer gin over other types of liquor.
Liquid
Clear; definite in terms or amount.
Liquor
The liquid substance in which something is steeped or cooked
The chef saved the liquor from the mussels to add flavor.
Liquid
In cash or readily convertible into cash without loss of principle; - said of assets, such as bank accounts, or short-term bonds tradable on a major stock exchange.
Liquid
A substance whose parts change their relative position on the slightest pressure, and therefore retain no definite form; any substance in the state of liquidity; a fluid that is not gaseous and has a definite volume independent, of the container in which it is held. Liquids have a fixed volume at any given pressure, but their shape is determined by the container in which it is contained. Liquids, in contrast to gases, cannot expand indefinitely to fill an expanding container, and are only slightly compressible by application of pressure.
Liquid
A letter which has a smooth, flowing sound, or which flows smoothly after a mute; as, l and r, in bla, bra. M and n also are called liquids.
Liquid
A substance that is liquid at room temperature and pressure
Liquid
The state in which a substance exhibits a characteristic readiness to flow with little or no tendency to disperse and relatively high incompressibility
Liquid
A substance in the fluid state of matter having no fixed shape but a fixed volume
Liquid
A frictionless non-nasal continuant (especially `l' and `r')
Liquid
Existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow;
Water and milk and blood are liquid substances
Ice is water in the solid state
Liquid
Filled or brimming with tears;
Swimming eyes
Watery eyes
Sorrow made the eyes of many grow liquid
Liquid
Clear and bright;
The liquid air of a spring morning
Eyes shining with a liquid luster
Limpid blue eyes
Liquid
Changed from a solid to a liquid state;
Rivers filled to overflowing by melted snow
Liquid
Smooth and flowing in quality; entirely free of harshness;
The liquid song of a robin
Liquid
Yielding; lacking any hint of hardness;
The liquid stillness of the night enveloping him
The liquid brown eyes of a spaniel
Liquid
Smooth and unconstrained in movement;
A long, smooth stride
The fluid motion of a cat
The liquid grace of a ballerina
Liquid prose
Liquid
In cash or easily convertible to cash;
Liquid (or fluid) assets
Liquid
A fluid that doesn't resist changing shape
Mercury is a metallic liquid at room temperature.
Liquid
Any substance, like water or gasoline, that's not solid or gaseous
He accidentally spilled a liquid on the floor.
FAQs
Is every liquor a liquid?
Yes, every liquor is a liquid.
Is liquor consumption regulated?
Yes, liquor consumption and sale are often regulated by laws.
Can a liquid be non-alcoholic?
Yes, most liquids like water and juice are non-alcoholic.
Are gases considered liquids?
No, gases and liquids are two distinct states of matter.
Can liquor be used in cooking?
Yes, many dishes use liquor for flavoring.
Are liquors only made from grains?
No, liquors can be made from grains, fruits, and other sources.
Do all liquids have the same density?
No, different liquids have different densities.
Does liquor always contain alcohol?
In most contexts, yes, but it can also mean liquid in which something has been steeped or cooked.
Is wine considered liquor?
Technically no, wine is fermented, not distilled. But it's an alcoholic beverage.
What's a common property of all liquids?
All liquids flow and take the shape of their container.
Is honey considered a liquid?
Yes, though viscous, honey is a liquid.
Is blood a liquid?
Yes, blood is a liquid.
What are common types of liquor?
Whiskey, vodka, rum, and gin are common types.
How is liquor's strength measured?
Often by its alcohol content, usually given in percentage.
Can solids turn into liquids?
Yes, through the process of melting.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
