Skip to content

tonic

tonic water

noun toh-NEEK Rare

Origin: From English 'tonic', borrowed into French.

Also means

tonic (invigorating)

Usage Note

Tonic in French most often refers to tonic water used in cocktails (as in 'gin tonic'). As an adjective it can mean invigorating or strengthening, applied to a remedy or climate. Note the final 'c' is pronounced, unlike many French borrowings.

Examples

"Il commande un gin tonic au bar."

Natural Translation

He orders a gin and tonic at the bar.

Explore French by topic