ale

Everyday

1. A kind of beer, often darker or stronger, made with malted barley. tree →
2. (old-fashioned) Any beer. tree →

In the lessons

Met in stories, especially old tales about inns and taverns, and in history: people in the Middle Ages drank ale because water could be unsafe. Ginger ale is a fizzy soft drink with no alcohol. Phrases: a pint of ale, ginger ale, pale ale.

Examples

• The travellers drank ale at the inn. tree →
• Ginger ale is a fizzy drink for children too. tree →
• In the Middle Ages, many people drank weak ale. tree →
• The pub sells local ales. tree →
• The innkeeper poured a mug of ale. tree →
• She ordered a ginger ale with ice. tree →
• Quoth he: "I like a glass of good ale and a well-toasted bannock. tree →

Note

Homophone: ail (to be ill). Alcoholic, except ginger ale. Countable for kinds or glasses (two ales), uncountable for the drink.