What does "claret" mean?
A dry red wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France, or a similar wine made elsewhere.
Claret
/ˈklæɹɪt/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A dry red wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France, or a similar wine made elsewhere.
- Grammar: claret is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: blood, bordeaux, bordeaux wine, burgundian.
- Useful contrasts: colorless, light, pale.
- Usage evidence: We discussed it over dinner with a good bottle of claret.
How to use "claret"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "claret" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "claret" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "claret" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "claret" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "claret" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "blood" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "claret", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A dry red wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France, or a similar wine made elsewhere. UK, countable, uncountable
"The vesper bell had rung its parting note; the domini were mostly caged in comfortable quarters, discussing the merits of old port; and the merry student had closed his oak, to consecrate the night to friendship, sack, and claret."
- 2 someone connected with Burnley Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.
- 3 a dark purplish-red color wordnet
- 4 A deep purplish-red colour, like that of the wine; Bordeaux. countable, uncountable
"Honey smiled hugely, so that Alex was shown every one of her claret gums."
- 5 dry red Bordeaux or Bordeaux-like wine wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Blood. UK, colloquial, countable, uncountable
"Time being called, Johnson rose from his second’s knee with the heart of a lion—the immense size and weight of his opponent seemed lost sight of—not a particle of fear belonged to him; and screwing his courage up to the sticking-place, boldly faced his man, putting all the excellence of his science into action, put in such a tremendous blow on the sensitive plant of Perrins—otherwise his sneezer, or nose—whichever term you like best—that split it all the way down as if cut open with a carving-knife; the claret flowing in torrents; and the Giant floored!"
Verb
- 1 To drink claret. archaic, intransitive
"We clareted and champagned till two—then supped, and finished with a kind of regency punch composed of madeira, brandy, and green tea, no real water being admitted therein. There was a night for you!"
- 2 drink claret wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Of a deep purplish-red colour, like that of claret.
"Dhondt drives a claret 1927 Bugatti Royale Type 41, a real spanker, Sixsmith."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"We discussed it over dinner with a good bottle of claret."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "claret"?
Common synonyms include: blood, bordeaux, bordeaux wine, burgundian, burgundy, color.
How do you use "claret" in a sentence?
We discussed it over dinner with a good bottle of claret.
How do you pronounce "claret"?
Pronounced /ˈklæɹɪt/.
Etymology
From Middle English claret, from Middle French claret, from Medieval Latin clārātum vīnum, from clārus. Compare tent (“Spanish red wine”), also from color. Doublet of clairet.