Definition

Noun A traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting rice. It is typically served warm.

Usage

This noun refers specifically to the fermented drink. It is used as a countable noun (e.g., a rice beer, two rice beers) or as an uncountable noun for the beverage in general. * We ordered a bottle of rice beer to share. * This restaurant serves the best hot rice beer in the city.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Context: While "rice beer" is a direct descriptive term, the traditional and more specific Japanese name for this beverage is sake. In many contexts, especially outside Japan, "sake" is the common term used to refer to this drink.

Variants and Related Words

• Sake (n.): The Japanese term for rice wine/beer, often used interchangeably in English.
• Fermented beverage (n.): A general term for any drink produced through fermentation.

Synonyms

• Sake
• Rice wine (Note: While often used synonymously, "rice wine" is a slight misnomer as the production process is more similar to brewing beer than to making grape wine.)

Different Meanings

The term "rice beer" does not have other distinct meanings. It consistently refers to the alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.

Noun

1. Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice; usually served hot