WordGarden.iogimlet
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡˈɪmlət/
US
- /ˈɡɪmˌlɛt/
Meanings
Noun
a cocktail made with gin or vodka and lime juice
a small screw-tipped tool for boring holes
Adjective
sharp, piercing, or penetrating, especially of a look
Beyond the definition
A gimlet can point to two main things. First, it is a small hand tool used for making holes in wood. It was common in carpentry and other kinds of hand work before electric drills became normal. But you may also hear it used for a sharp, tangy cocktail, usually made with gin and lime juice or lime cordial. So the same word can sound at home in a toolbox or on a drink menu.
There is also a figurative use in the phrase "gimlet eye," which means a sharp, piercing look. Across these uses, the word often suggests something pointed, direct, or cutting.
The word "gimlet" has a few closely related lives. Its oldest meaning is a small hand tool used to bore neat holes in wood. A traditional one has a metal shaft with a pointed, screw-like tip, and it is turned by hand. Before power tools were common, people used it in carpentry, furniture work, and other jobs where a small starter hole was needed.
Later, "gimlet" also became the name of a classic cocktail. In its best-known form, it is made with gin and lime, often with lime cordial, though some modern versions use fresh lime juice, simple syrup, or even vodka instead of gin. The drink is known for a clean, sharp taste. The exact reason for the name is not fully certain, but it is often linked to the idea of something sharp or piercing.
The word also appears in the phrase "gimlet eye" or "gimlet-eyed." Here it describes a look that feels sharp, piercing, and searching. A person with a gimlet eye seems to look right through excuses and notice every small detail.
So, depending on the setting, the word may suggest a hand drill, a lime-based cocktail, or a hard, penetrating stare. In every case, it carries the sense of something pointed and exact.
Examples
- 1
Woodworking tool
He used a gimlet to make a small hole in the wood before adding the screw.
- 2
Cocktail
At the bar, she ordered a gimlet and asked for extra lime.
- 3
Sharp look
The manager gave the late arrivals a gimlet look but said nothing.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- gimletnoun
Forms
- gimletspluralnoun