Main Difference
The main difference between Cocktail and Highball is that the Cocktail is a alcoholic mixed drink and Highball is a family of mixed drinks.
Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink, which is either a combination of spirits, or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as fruit juice,flavored syrup, or cream. There are various types of cocktails, based on the number and kind of ingredients added. The origins of the cocktail are debated.
Highball
Highball is the name for a family of mixed alcoholic drinks that are composed of an alcoholic base spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer. Well-known examples of highballs include the Seven and Seven, Scotch and soda, rum and Coke and Caipirinha-highball. A highball is typically served over ice in a large straight-sided highball glass or Collins glass.
Cocktail (noun)
A mixed alcoholic beverage.
“They visited a pub noted for the wide range of cocktails they serve.”
Cocktail (noun)
A mixture of other substances.
“Scientists found a cocktail of pollutants in the river downstream from the chemical factory.”
“a cocktail of illegal drugs”
Cocktail (noun)
A horse, not of pure breed, but having only one eighth or one sixteenth impure blood in its veins.
Cocktail (noun)
A mean, half-hearted fellow; a coward.
Cocktail (noun)
A species of elevating the tail.
Cocktail (adjective)
Ostentatiously lacking in manners.
Cocktail (verb)
To adulterate (fuel, etc.) by mixing in other substances.
Cocktail (verb)
To treat (a person) to cocktails.
“He dined and cocktailed her at the most exclusive bars and restaurants.”
Highball (noun)
A cocktail made from a spirit plus soda water etc.
Highball (noun)
An all clear or full speed ahead signal.
Highball (noun)
A very high bouldering problem, often with a hard landing.
Highball (verb)
To make an exaggeration.
“If we highball the price, it comes out to $240. If we lowball it, it’s closer to $200.”
Highball (verb)
To move quickly; to hightail.
Cocktail (noun)
an alcoholic drink consisting of a spirit or spirits mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit juice or cream
“a cocktail bar”
Cocktail (noun)
a mixture of substances or factors, especially when dangerous or unpleasant
“financial pressure plus isolation can be a deadly cocktail for some people”
“a cocktail of drugs with severe side effects”
Cocktail (noun)
a dish consisting of small pieces of food, typically served cold as a starter
“we began with prawn and avocado cocktail”
“a chilled lobster cocktail prettily presented in a martini glass”
Highball (noun)
a drink consisting of a spirit, especially whisky, and a mixer such as soda, served with ice in a tall glass.
Highball (noun)
a railway signal to proceed.
Highball (verb)
travel fast
“they highballed north”