alcohol

Everyday

1. A colourless liquid in drinks like beer, wine and spirits that changes the way people think and act, and can make them drunk. tree →
2. Drinks that contain this (He doesn't drink alcohol). tree →
3. A liquid chemical used for cleaning and killing germs (rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser) and as a fuel. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons pupils learn that alcohol is a drug: it slows the brain and body, is especially harmful to children's growing brains, and is against the law for children to buy; adults should not drink and drive. In safety lessons: never drink from unknown bottles or glasses; hand sanitisers and cleaning alcohol are poisonous to drink; tell an adult if someone is very drunk and unwell. In science, alcohol evaporates quickly and burns. Phrases: drink alcohol, alcohol-free, rubbing alcohol, alcoholic.

Examples

• Alcohol is not safe for children to drink. tree →
• Beer and wine contain alcohol. tree →
• People should never drive after drinking alcohol. tree →
• Hand sanitiser has alcohol in it to kill germs — never drink it. tree →
• The nurse cleaned the cut with an alcohol wipe. tree →
• This drink is alcohol-free. tree →
• Alcohol evaporates faster than water. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some alcohol». Spelling: alcohol (no «e» at the end; «coh» in the middle). Adjective: alcoholic (an alcoholic drink); an alcoholic is also a person who is addicted to alcohol.