kirsch

noun

ˈkirsh How to pronounce kirsch (audio)
: a dry colorless brandy distilled from the fermented juice of the black morello cherry

Examples of kirsch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Apple or plum brandy, or even a kirsch (cherry brandy) provides complexity. — Kara Newman, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2020 Each layer was filled twice with apricot marmalade and a kirsch flavored Bavarian cream. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

German, short for Kirschwasser, from Kirsche cherry + Wasser water

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kirsch was in 1869

Browse Nearby Words

kirpan
kirsch
Kirschner value
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kirsch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kirsch. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on kirsch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kirsch

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All