cognac

noun

co·​gnac ˈkōn-ˌyak 

also ˈkȯn-

or ˈkän-

variants often Cognac

: a brandy from the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime distilled from white wine

Examples of cognac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is an Old World hotel with a music theme—the buildings date from the early 18th and late 19th centuries, the curtains are thick, the settees in crushed velvet, the club chairs in leather, the color of cognac. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026

The standout performances from the launch, which is available starting tomorrow, include high-pile cognac rugs, sprawling burl wood pieces, many a gold accent, and an especially decadent cream lacquer. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026

Uh, Jeeves, another round of cognac, please. —Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026

His pepper sauce is more jus than cream, but plenty rich, with an avalanche of cognac and veal stock and plenty of both black and green peppercorns. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Cognac, France

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cognac

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

cognac

noun

co·​gnac ˈkōn-ˌyak 

often capitalized

: a French brandy

Etymology

named for Cognac, town in France in and near which it is made