Alcotest means: An alcohol test; the measurement of the blood alcohol level.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
alcotest
(Australia) An alcohol test; the measurement of the blood alcohol level.
Definitions
Australia
#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS
(Australia) An alcohol test; the measurement of the blood alcohol level.
For parents
Alcotest means: An alcohol test; the measurement of the blood alcohol level.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
alcotest means: An alcohol test; the measurement of the blood alcohol level.. Register: informal, Australian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Cluster: alcohol
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Used in
Australia
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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang
Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.
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Other words near "alcotest" (A)
alchemy modealchemy sznalchochodenal-CIAdaalcoolalcopopalcotest checkalcotest energyalcotesteralcotest failalcotest modealcotest szn
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Related terms
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Semantically related
- alcotest check78%
A casual self-assessment or group check-in on how drunk everyone is — like a vibe audit before deciding whether to drive, keep drinking, or call it a night. Borrowed from the literal breathalyzer context.
- alcotester72%
Someone who tests others' sobriety — either literally with a device or figuratively, the person at the party who judges how wasted everyone is and decides who's too far gone. Can be used affectionately or as a mild diss for the buzzkill.
- alcotest mode71%
The state of being hyper-vigilant about alcohol consumption — monitoring everyone's drinks, questioning decisions, and acting like a human breathalyzer. Often applied to the group's self-appointed responsible adult.
- alcotest szn68%
A period when sobriety checkpoints or breathalyzer enforcement is especially heavy — like holidays, festivals, or long weekends when police DUI enforcement spikes. Used to warn friends or complain about crackdowns.
- alcotest fail65%
Blowing over the limit on a breathalyzer — or more broadly, any embarrassing moment that proves you're way too drunk. Used literally and figuratively to describe spectacular sobriety-test failures.