tea

[ tee ]

noun

1. the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.
2. the shrub itself, extensively cultivated in China, Japan, India, etc., and having fragrant white flowers. Compare tea family.
3. the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.
4. any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.
5. any of various infusions prepared from the leaves, flowers, etc., of other plants, and used as beverages or medicines.
6. beef bouillon.
7. British. any meal, whether a light snack or one consisting of several courses, eaten in the late afternoon or in the evening; any meal other than dinner, eaten after the middle of the afternoon.
8. an afternoon reception at which tea is served.
9. Slang. marijuana.
10. Slang. interesting or confidential information; gossip; news:

    I hear you were talking to Sandy yesterday—what’s the tea?

tea

/ tiː /

noun

1. an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
2. 1. the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
   2. such a beverage, served hot or iced
   3. ( as modifier )

      tea caddy

      tea urn

3. 1. any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
   2. any such beverage
4. 1. Also calledafternoon tea a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
   2. ( as modifier )

      a tea party

   3. Also calledhigh tea afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish
5. the main evening meal
6. old-fashioned.
   marijuana
7. tea and sympathy informal.
   a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble

Other Words From

• tea·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 tea fordef 9; from dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) t'e, akin to Chinese chá

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea¹

C17: from Chinese (Amoy) t'e, from Ancient Chinese d`a

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one:

   Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.

2. spill the tea, Slang. to reveal interesting or confidential information; share gossip:

   In this exclusive clip, the famous actor spills the tea on who gets offered the best roles first.

More idioms and phrases containing tea

see cup of tea ; not for all the tea in china ; tempest in a teapot .

Example Sentences

I don't know what's in the tea leaves.

From Salon

Watch all the wickets as India are bowled out for 150 before tea after choosing to bat in the first Test against Australia in Perth.

From BBC

In Amsterdam a few years back, after my friends and I drank some “special tea,” I ended up—eh, actually, let’s save that one for another time.

From Slate

During that visit, Putin gifted Kim with a Russian-made Aurus limousine, tea set and artwork.

From BBC

The tasks included determining the logical order of two statements, or answering questions involving physical reasoning, such as how to separate an egg white from a yolk or how to make a cup of tea.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• gossip
• poop