Drink vs. Scull — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024
"Drink" generally refers to the act of consuming liquids, applicable to any beverage, while "scull" specifically means to drink something quickly and in one go, often used in informal contexts.
Difference Between Drink and Scull
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To drink is a universal term for consuming liquids through the mouth, suitable for any context, from a casual meal to a formal gathering, whereas to scull specifically refers to the rapid consumption of a drink, typically in a single continuous action.
Drinking can be done slowly or leisurely, savoring the beverage, whether it's water, tea, or wine, while sculling is associated with urgency or competitive spirit, often seen in social challenges or quick refreshment scenarios.
The verb "drink" is used in a broad range of scenarios, applicable to taking medicine, enjoying a cocktail, or hydrating, on the other hand, "scull" is mostly used in casual and often youthful contexts, like at parties or among friends encouraging one another to drink quickly.
Health guidelines frequently discuss the importance of drinking water regularly to maintain hydration and health, whereas sculling is rarely mentioned in such contexts due to its nature of rapid consumption, which is not typically recommended for health.
In literary or formal texts, "drink" is commonly used with its various connotations of nourishment and enjoyment, whereas "scull" is seldom found in such texts, being more colloquial and associated with less refined drinking contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To take liquid into the mouth and swallow.
To drink quickly in one go.
Usage Context
Any setting, versatile.
Informal, often related to alcohol consumption.
Speed of Consumption
Variable, often leisurely.
Fast, intended to be in one continuous action.
Cultural Connotation
Neutral, universal.
Often associated with partying or challenges.
Associated Beverages
Any liquid.
Typically alcoholic drinks.
Compare with Definitions
Drink
To take liquid into the mouth and swallow it.
She likes to drink water after her morning run.
Scull
To drink quickly as part of a competition or challenge.
They challenged him to scull his drink and he did.
Drink
To absorb or take in (figuratively).
They sat by the lake, drinking in the peaceful atmosphere.
Scull
Associated with the rapid consumption of beverages, typically alcoholic.
Sculling drinks is not advisable at formal events.
Drink
To consume alcohol.
He doesn't drink alcohol at all.
Scull
Informal and often related to party contexts.
At the party, everyone cheered as she sculled her drink.
Drink
To take in with the senses or mind.
He drank the words of his mentor with great attention.
Scull
Often seen as a demonstration of drinking prowess or for fun.
He's known for sculling drinks faster than anyone else at the bar.
Drink
To attend or participate in a social drinking occasion.
They went out to drink with friends last night.
Scull
To drink a quantity of liquid quickly and in one go.
He sculled the glass of beer in seconds.
Drink
A drink (or beverage) is a liquid intended for human consumption. In addition to their basic function of satisfying thirst, drinks play important roles in human culture.
Scull
Each of a pair of small oars used by a single rower.
Drink
To take into the mouth and swallow (a liquid).
Scull
A large group of fish which has migrated from the open sea to inshore waters.
Drink
To swallow the liquid contents of (a vessel)
Drank a cup of tea.
Scull
Propel a boat with sculls
He built boats and taught the gentlemen how to scull
Drink
To take in or soak up; absorb
Drank the fresh air.
Spongy earth that drank up the rain.
Scull
A long oar used at the stern of a boat and moved from side to side to propel the boat forward.
Drink
To take in eagerly through the senses or intellect
Drank in the beauty of the day.
Scull
One of a pair of light oars designed for use by a single rower.
Drink
To give or make (a toast).
Scull
A small light racing boat for one, two, or four rowers, each using a pair of sculls.
Drink
To toast (a person or an occasion, for example)
We'll drink your health.
Scull
To propel (a boat) with a scull or a pair of sculls.
Drink
To bring to a specific state by drinking alcoholic beverages
Drank our sorrows away.
Scull
To use a scull or a pair of sculls to propel a boat.
Drink
To swallow liquid
Drank noisily.
Drink from a goblet.
Scull
To generate propulsion, as in swimming, with a motion resembling that of a single scull oar.
Drink
To drink alcoholic beverages
They only drink socially.
Scull
A single oar mounted at the stern of a boat and moved from side to side to propel the boat forward.
Drink
To salute a person or an occasion with a toast
We will drink to your continued success.
Scull
One of a pair of oars handled by a single rower.
Drink
A liquid that is fit for drinking; a beverage.
Scull
A small rowing boat, for one person.
Drink
An alcoholic beverage, such as a cocktail or beer.
Scull
A light rowing boat used for racing by one, two, or four rowers, each operating two oars (sculls), one in each hand.
Drink
Chiefly Southern US See soft drink. tonic
Scull
Obsolete form of skull
Drink
An amount of liquid swallowed
Took a long drink from the fountain.
Scull
A skull cap. A small bowl-shaped helmet, without visor or bever.
Drink
Liquid for drinking
The host provided food and drink.
Scull
(obsolete) A shoal of fish.
Drink
Excessive or habitual indulgence in alcoholic liquor.
Scull
The skua gull.
Drink
(Slang) A body of water; the sea
The hatch cover slid off the boat and into the drink.
Scull
To row a boat using a scull or sculls.
Drink
(ambitransitive) To consume (a liquid) through the mouth.
He drank the water I gave him.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
Scull
To skate while keeping both feet in contact with the ground or ice.
Drink
To consume the liquid contained within (a bottle, glass, etc.).
Jack drank the whole bottle by himself.
Scull
To drink the entire contents of (a drinking vessel) without pausing.
Drink
(intransitive) To consume alcoholic beverages.
You've been drinking, haven't you?
No thanks, I don't drink.
Everyone who is drinking is drinking, but not everyone who is drinking is drinking.
Scull
The skull.
Drink
(transitive) To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
Scull
A shoal of fish.
Drink
(transitive) To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
Scull
A boat; a cockboat. See Sculler.
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
Scull
The common skua gull.
Drink
A beverage.
I’d like another drink please.
Scull
To impel (a boat) with a pair of sculls, or with a single scull or oar worked over the stern obliquely from side to side.
Drink
(uncountable) Drinks in general; something to drink
Scull
To impel a boat with a scull or sculls.
Drink
A type of beverage (usually mixed).
My favourite drink is the White Russian.
Scull
A long-handled oar mounted at the stern of a boat and moved left and right to propel the boat forward
Drink
A (served) alcoholic beverage.
Can I buy you a drink?
Scull
One of a pair of short-handled oars
Drink
The action of drinking, especially with the verbs take or have.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer.
Scull
A racing shell propelled by one or two oarsmen pulling two oars
Drink
Alcoholic beverages in general.
Scull
Propel with sculls;
Scull the boat
Drink
Any body of water.
If he doesn't pay off the mafia, he’ll wear cement shoes to the bottom of the drink!
Drink
To swallow anything liquid, for quenching thirst or other purpose; to imbibe; to receive or partake of, as if in satisfaction of thirst; as, to drink from a spring.
Gird thyself, and serve me, till have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink.
He shall drink of the wrath the Almighty.
Drink of the cup that can not cloy.
Drink
To quaff exhilarating or intoxicating liquors, in merriment or feasting; to carouse; to revel; hence, to lake alcoholic liquors to excess; to be intemperate in the se of intoxicating or spirituous liquors; to tipple.
And they drank, and were merry with him.
Bolingbroke always spoke freely when he had drunk freely.
I drink to the general joy of the whole table,And to our dear friend Banquo.
Drink
To swallow (a liquid); to receive, as a fluid, into the stomach; to imbibe; as, to drink milk or water.
There lies she with the blessed gods in bliss,There drinks the nectar with ambrosia mixed.
The bowl of punch which was brewed and drunk in Mrs. Betty's room.
Drink
To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
And let the purple violets drink the stream.
Drink
To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
To drink the cooler air,
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred wordsOf that tongue's utterance.
Let me . . . drink delicious poison from thy eye.
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
And some men now live ninety years and past,Who never drank to tobacco first nor last.
Drink
Liquid to be swallowed; any fluid to be taken into the stomach for quenching thirst or for other purposes, as water, coffee, or decoctions.
Give me some drink, Titinius.
Drink
Specifically, intoxicating liquor; as, when drink is on, wit is out.
Drink
A single serving of a beverage;
I asked for a hot drink
Likes a drink before dinner
Drink
The act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess;
Drink was his downfall
Drink
Any liquid suitable for drinking;
May I take your beverage order?
Drink
Any large deep body of water;
He jumped into the drink and had to be rescued
Drink
The act of swallowing;
One swallow of the liquid was enough
He took a drink of his beer and smacked his lips
Drink
Take in liquids;
The patient must drink several liters each day
The children like to drink soda
Drink
Consume alcohol;
We were up drinking all night
Drink
Propose a toast to;
Let us toast the birthday girl!
Let's drink to the New Year
Drink
Be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to;
The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage
Drink
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol; be an alcoholic;
The husband drinks and beats his wife
Common Curiosities
Is it common to scull hot beverages like coffee or tea?
No, sculling hot beverages is uncommon and not advisable due to the risk of burns.
How do different cultures view the practice of sculling?
Cultural attitudes toward sculling vary, with some viewing it as a fun and harmless activity, while others may see it as irresponsible or dangerous.
What is a polite way to decline a sculling challenge?
Politely declining with a simple "No, thank you" or expressing discomfort with rapid drinking is generally acceptable.
Can sculling be part of professional drinking competitions?
Yes, sculling is sometimes featured in professional drinking competitions or speed drinking events.
How does the body react to sculling alcoholic beverages?
The body may react with rapid intoxication, and potential negative effects include nausea and impaired judgment.
How does sculling differ from sipping?
Sculling involves drinking quickly and in one go, whereas sipping is the slow and gradual consumption of a beverage.
Does sculling affect the taste experience of a beverage?
Yes, sculling typically diminishes the ability to taste and enjoy the flavors of a beverage due to the rapid consumption.
Can children participate in sculling?
Sculling is generally not appropriate for children, especially if it involves alcoholic beverages.
Are there any sports associated with the term "scull"?
Yes, in a different context, "scull" also refers to rowing with two oars, but this is unrelated to the drinking term.
Is sculling ever seen in literary or cinematic works?
Yes, sculling is occasionally depicted in films and literature, often in scenes portraying college life or festive gatherings.
What are the social implications of sculling at a gathering?
Sculling can be seen as a form of social bonding in informal settings but may also be viewed as peer pressure to consume alcohol quickly.
What are the legal concerns with sculling in public places?
Public intoxication laws apply, and activities like sculling that lead to rapid intoxication might have legal consequences.
What should one consider before deciding to scull a drink?
Considerations should include personal health, comfort with rapid alcohol consumption, and the setting of the activity.
Is sculling a recommended practice at corporate events?
Sculling is typically inappropriate and unprofessional at corporate events due to its informal and sometimes unruly nature.
Can sculling be dangerous?
Yes, particularly with alcohol, sculling can lead to alcohol poisoning, choking, or other health risks due to the fast intake of liquids.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
