guzzle

Imagine a thirsty traveler stumbling upon an oasis: they do not sip the water, they guzzle it. To guzzle means to drink something very quickly, often in large gulps. It usually suggests strong thirst, excitement, or little restraint. You might guzzle down a cold soda on a hot day, or your dog might guzzle its water after a long run. We also use this word for machines; a large SUV is often called a "gas guzzler" because it uses fuel very quickly.

The word "guzzle" paints a vivid picture of someone consuming something, usually a liquid, with eager speed. It is more than just drinking; it describes how someone drinks, with big swallows and very little pause. Think of a puppy finding a bowl of water after a long walk: that is guzzling.

Originally, "guzzle" meant to swallow greedily. That idea is still there today. It can sometimes be used with food, but it is most often used for drinks. The sentence, "He guzzled his milkshake in under a minute," suggests that he was very thirsty, very eager, or not trying to be polite. The word often carries a sense of excess. It is not about slowly enjoying something; it is about taking in a lot of it very fast.

However, "guzzle" is not limited to physical thirst. It also has a common figurative use for resources and machines. If a car "guzzles" gas or an old heater "guzzles" electricity, it means it uses those resources at a fast, often wasteful rate. Less often, people use it more broadly for taking in something eagerly and quickly. Whether it is a person at a water fountain or an engine at a fuel pump, "guzzle" suggests rapid, heavy consumption.