sip

[ sip ]

/ sɪp /

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See synonyms for sip on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), sipped, sip·ping.

to drink (a liquid) a little at a time; take small tastes of: He sipped the hot tea noisily.

to drink from a little at a time: The bird sipped the flower.

to take in; absorb: to sip knowledge at its source.

verb (used without object), sipped, sip·ping.

to drink by sips.

noun

an instance of sipping; a small taste of a liquid: One sip told me that the milk was sour.

a small quantity taken by sipping: Take just a sip, not a gulp or a swallow.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sip

1350–1400; Middle English sippen (v.), akin to Low German sippen to sip

synonym study for sip

1. See drink.

OTHER WORDS FROM sip

sip·ping·ly, adverbun·sipped, adjective

Words nearby sip

Sioux, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Sioux State, Sioux War, sip, sipe, Siphnos, siphon, siphonage, siphonapterous

Other definitions for sip (2 of 2)

SIP

supplemental income plan.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sip in a sentence

Inside, patrons can sip on bespoke whisky and coffee while getting that buffed and polished look.
The Most Exciting New Hotels, Restaurants, and Submarines of 2014|Charlie Gilbert|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We try to not but before the show, a little sip,” she said.
I Got Kicked Out Of The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show|Nico Hines|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Venetians sip their coffee in quiet squares and walk their dogs along the waterfront with nary a tourist in sight.
After the Wedding: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in Venice|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, there are several high quality, handcrafted tequilas out there you can sip and enjoy just as much as a fine whiskey.
Grab A Shot Glass: Craft Tequila Needs Your Help|Kayleigh Kulp|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Sip on This You may have heard that alcohol is packed with empty calories, which is true.
Is Alcohol Killing Your Workout?|DailyBurn|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Fate has first granted just a sip of the wine of success the slip between the cup and lip comes hardest.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He felt that to eat would choke him, but forced himself to take a sip of coffee and a bit of corn bread.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
How daintily they sip it; how happy they seem; how that lucky rogue of an Irishman prattles away!
Little Travels and Roadside Sketches|William Makepeace Thackeray
But at this Worse looked so ferocious, that his friend took a long sip, and followed it by a fit of coughing.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
Billy shook hands, and took a sip out of the case-bottle, by way of clenching the reconciliation.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for sip

sip

/ (sɪp) /

verb sips, sipping or sipped

to drink (a liquid) by taking small mouthfuls; drink gingerly or delicately

noun

a small quantity of a liquid taken into the mouth and swallowed

an act of sipping

Derived forms of sip

sipper, noun

Word Origin for sip

C14: probably from Low German sippen

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