ouzo
|ou-zo|
🇺🇸
/ˈuːzoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˈuːzəʊ/
Greek anise-flavoured spirit
Etymology
'ouzo' originates from Modern Greek, specifically the word 'ούζο', where the form is ultimately thought to derive from Ottoman Turkish 'üzüm', in which 'üzüm' meant 'grape'.
'ouzo' changed from Ottoman Turkish 'üzüm' (meaning 'grape') into Modern Greek 'ούζο' and was later borrowed into English as 'ouzo'.
Initially, it referred to 'grape' or a grape-derived distillate, but over time it evolved into the modern meaning of the anise-flavoured Greek spirit 'ouzo'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a Greek anise-flavoured alcoholic spirit or liqueur, traditionally distilled from grapes and flavoured with anise; it often turns cloudy (louches) when water is added.
He sipped a small glass of ouzo with his meze.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/02 00:20