curaçao

noun

cu·​ra·​çao ˈkyu̇r-ə-ˌsō How to pronounce curaçao (audio)
-ˌsau̇, 
ˈku̇r-;
ˌk(y)u̇r-ə-ˈsō, 
-ˈsau̇ How to pronounce curaçao (audio)
variants or less commonly curaçoa
ˈkyu̇r-ə-ˌsō How to pronounce curaçao (audio)
-ˌsau̇, 
ˈku̇r-;
ˌk(y)u̇r-ə-ˈsō, 
-ˈsau̇ How to pronounce curaçao (audio)
or ˌkyu̇r-ə-ˈsō-ə
: a liqueur flavored with the dried peel of the sour orange

Examples of curaçao in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Be sure to get a good-quality curacao like this one to ensure that bright blue hue. — Alex Erdekian, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2020 The Alchemy was an amazing presentation of a martini glass filled with a citrus vodka blend, berry juices, curacao and oolong with a lemon twist. — Julie Jordan, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025 Customers can customize their margarita by adding a Meltdown, which is extra tequila, or other liqueurs like blue curacao or sour apple. — Audrey Eads, Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2021 At Harrah’s Resort Southern California, a cocktail made with grenadine, orange juice, citrus vodka mixed, blue curacao and a rainbow straw. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curaçao

Word History

Etymology

Dutch curaçao, from Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curaçao was in 1813

Browse Nearby Words

curaca
curaçao
Curaçao
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curaçao.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cura%C3%A7ao. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Geographical Definition

Curaçao

geographical name

Cu·​ra·​çao ˌku̇r-ə-ˈsau̇ How to pronounce Curaçao (audio)
ˌkyu̇r-, 
-ˈsō, 
-ˈsä-ˌō
internally self-governing Dutch island in the southern Caribbean; chief town Willemstad area 182 square miles (471 square kilometers), population 150,563

Note: Curaçao was formerly part of Netherlands Antilles.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All