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moonshine

/ˌmunˈʃaɪn/
/ˈmunʃaɪn/
IPA guide

Other forms: moonshining; moonshines; moonshined

Moonshine is the glowing light that comes from the moon, and it's also a common term meaning "homemade liquor." In an old-timey bluegrass song, a character might drink moonshine in the moonshine.

While moonshine can simply be a synonym for moonlight, it's often used as slang for bootleg (or illicit) whiskey, as well as a colorful way to say "nonsense." For example, you could say, "I listened to her speech, but I finally decided everything she said was nothing but moonshine." This "without substance" meaning is actually the oldest figurative definition of moonshine, dating from the fifteenth century.

Definitions of moonshine
  1. noun
    the light of the Moon
    synonyms: Moon, moonlight
    see moresee less
    type of:
    light, visible light, visible radiation
    (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
  2. noun
    whiskey illegally distilled from a corn mash
    synonyms: bootleg, corn liquor
    see moresee less
    type of:
    corn, corn whiskey, corn whisky
    whiskey distilled from a mash of not less than 80 percent corn
  3. verb
    distill (alcohol) illegally; produce moonshine
    see moresee less
    type of:
    distil, distill, extract
    extract by the process of distillation
Pronunciation
US
/ˌmunˈʃaɪn/
UK
/ˈmunʃaɪn/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘moonshine'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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