tea

[ tee ]

/ ti /

noun

the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.

the shrub itself, extensively cultivated in China, Japan, India, etc., and having fragrant white flowers.Compare tea family.

the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.

any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.

any of various infusions prepared from the leaves, flowers, etc., of other plants, and used as beverages or medicines.

beef bouillon.

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.

an afternoon reception at which tea is served.

Slang. marijuana.

Nearby words

te rauparaha, te reo, te score, te waipounamu, te-hee, tea, tea act, tea bag, tea ball, tea basket, tea biscuit

Idioms

one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one: Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.

Origin of tea

1590–1600; 1940–45 for def 9; < dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) t'e, akin to Chinese chá

Related forms

tea·less, adjective

Can be confused

tea tee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for one's cup of tea

tea

/ (tiː) /

noun

an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae

the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
such a beverage, served hot or iced
(as modifier)tea caddy; tea urn

any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
any such beverage

mainly British

Also called: afternoon tea a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
(as modifier)a tea party
Also called: high tea afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish

British, Australian and NZ the main evening meal

US and Canadian old-fashioned, slang marijuana

tea and sympathy informal a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble

Word Origin for tea

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with one's cup of tea

tea

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

tea

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of tea

Related forms

Can be confused

British Dictionary definitions for one's cup of tea

tea

noun

Word Origin for tea

Idioms and Phrases with one's cup of tea

tea