bubbly
A colloquial and informal term used to refer to champagne or other types of sparkling wine. It is characterized by its carbonation and is almost exclusively used in the context of celebrations and social gatherings.
Examples
3 of 5We bought a few bottles of bubbly for the New Year's Eve party.
We bought a few bottles of champagne/sparkling wine for the New Year's Eve party.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were served a glass of chilled bubbly.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were served a glass of chilled champagne.
Hey, let's crack open the bubbly and celebrate your new job!
Hey, let's open the champagne and celebrate your new job!
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the physical 'bubbles' that rise in a glass of champagne; the drink is named after its most obvious feature.
Quick Quiz
After the promotion was announced, the team decided to open a bottle of _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bubbly
Examples
We bought a few bottles of bubbly for the New Year's Eve party.
everydayWe bought a few bottles of champagne/sparkling wine for the New Year's Eve party.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were served a glass of chilled bubbly.
formalAt the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were served a glass of chilled champagne.
Hey, let's crack open the bubbly and celebrate your new job!
informalHey, let's open the champagne and celebrate your new job!
Sociological studies indicate that the consumption of 'bubbly' remains a primary signifier of middle-class celebration.
academicSociological studies indicate that the consumption of 'bubbly' remains a primary signifier of middle-class celebration.
The firm ordered premium bubbly to mark the successful merger during the corporate gala.
businessThe firm ordered premium sparkling wine to mark the successful merger during the corporate gala.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
crack open the bubbly
To open a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate.
pass the bubbly
A request to share the champagne.
on the bubbly
In the process of drinking champagne or sparkling wine.
Often Confused With
A 'bubble' is a single sphere of gas, while 'bubbly' as a noun is the drink itself.
'Bubbling' is the present participle of the verb 'to bubble', describing the physical action of forming bubbles.
Usage Notes
While 'bubbly' is very common as an adjective to describe a cheerful personality, as a noun, it specifically refers to sparkling wine in British and Australian English particularly.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'bubbly' in formal writing where 'champagne' or 'sparkling wine' would be more appropriate for the register.
Memory Tip
Think of the physical 'bubbles' that rise in a glass of champagne; the drink is named after its most obvious feature.
Word Origin
Derived from the noun 'bubble' (Middle English 'bubbel'), applied as a colloquialism for champagne in the early 20th century.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, serving bubbly is the standard way to mark a significant milestone like a wedding or a promotion.
Quick Quiz
After the promotion was announced, the team decided to open a bottle of _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bubbly
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