glogg

noun

ˈgləg

ˈglœg

ˈglu̇g

variants or glögg

: a hot spiced wine and liquor punch served in Scandinavian countries as a Christmas drink

Did you know?

Glogg is a holiday favorite in many Scandinavian cultures, where it is commonly served on St. Lucia's Day (December 13) and all around Christmas time. Not surprisingly, the word glogg itself (sometimes written as "glögg") is of Scandinavian origin; it comes from Swedish and derives from the verb glödga, meaning "to burn" or "to mull." But although "glogg" may look like it should rhyme with that other notable holiday beverage—"eggnog"—the two aren't quite a perfect match. The "o" in "glogg" is pronounced like either the "u" in "nut," the "oo" in "foot," or the more foreign—sounding "œ" in "bœuf," the French word for "beef." "Nog," on the other hand, is generally pronounced with the "o" as in "mop"—and thus it rhymes with "grog."

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Consider glogg a wine version of Christmas Ale: Spicy, seasonal, special.

Marc Bona, cleveland, 13 Dec. 2021 The book’s glogg is delicious, getting a dose of silky richness via the addition of berry preserves.

M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2019 See also house glogg, eggnog and more festive drinks available a la carte.

Josie Sexton, The Know, 19 Dec. 2019 To brave this gloomy period, the Norrlanders light a superabundance of candles and keep a saucepan of glogg—mulled wine with nuts and raisins—simmering on their stovetops.

Phil Falino, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2017 Groggy from reading glogg and pancake recipes, and the accompanying reflections on hugging, sledding and board games by Mr. Wiking and others, I was poised to hygger here at home.

Penelope Green, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glogg.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Swedish glögg, from glödga to burn, mull, from glöd glowing coal, from Old Norse glōth; akin to Old English glēd glowing coal — more at gleed

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of glogg was in 1927

See more words from the same year