teacup

[ tee-kuhp ]

noun

1. a cup in which tea is served, usually of small or moderate size.
2. a teacupful.

teacup

/ ˈtiːˌkʌp /

noun

1. a cup out of which tea may be drunk, larger than a coffee cup
2. Also calledteacupful the amount a teacup will hold, about four fluid ounces

Word History and Origins

Origin of teacup¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; tea + cup

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. tempest in a teacup / teapot, a disturbance or uproar about little or nothing: Also storm in a teacup.

   The fight over who should become the next assistant treasurer of the organization is just a tempest in a teacup.

Example Sentences

Open wide for oxtail birria starring beef-fat tortillas and a steaming teacup of reduced braising juices, a dunk like no other.

From Washington Post

Although they can have a wingspan up to seven inches, when folded up, the tiny creatures can fit inside teacups.

From Popular-Science

In one scene, a raving Amanda squeezes a pink teacup until it shatters, the shards bloodying her hands.

From Time

Spend enough time in a small spinning teacup and your stomach may soon object.

From Science News For Students

This force seems to pull us to the outside edge of the rotating teacup.

From Science News For Students

Elle magazine shot an editorial in September, one picture revealing a teacup pig sitting pretty by a mini Tyler Alexandra bag.

From The Daily Beast

She dried the teacup with a worn mildewed hand towel, also embroidered with Lily of the Valley.

From The Daily Beast

He licked them up with a slick bronzy tongue and spat a thick wad of honey-brown juice into the empty teacup.

From The Daily Beast

He sat his mug of coffee and the empty teacup on the glass table in front of him.

From The Daily Beast

He pulled a bone china teacup printed with white floral bells, Lily of the Valley, from one of the cabinets.

From The Daily Beast

A German receiver can be washed out like a teacup, and the oil collected is of value, but a meerschaum should never be wetted.

From Project Gutenberg

A correspondent points out that if that amount has ever been left in the bottom of his teacup it was an oversight.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of her tirade, he had a feeling that it didn't matter, that she must bluster in her tiny teacup if she wanted to do so.

From Project Gutenberg

I sat a little away from her, and then took my teacup in hand, with an odd effect of defending myself.

From Project Gutenberg

When one man hit another on the head with this fragile china, the skull cracked before the teacup did.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bowl
• drink
• mug