sip

[sip]

SEE MORE 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.

Origin of sip

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

Related formssip·ping·ly, adverbun·sipped, adjective

Synonym study

1. See drink.

SIP

supplemental income plan.

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

Related Words for sip

savor, imbibe, quaff, taste, toss, partake, sample, sup, swallow, extract

Examples from the Web for sip

Contemporary Examples of sip

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
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
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
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
Before he could sip, his name was announced and he had to run onto the stage to receive a standing ovation.
Why We're Obsessed With George Takei
Jennifer M. Kroot
August 20, 2014

Historical Examples of sip

He raised his cup to his lips, took a sip, and set it down again.
Viviette
William J. Locke
Then he raised the marshal's head and gave him a sip of the fiery stuff.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
But now with every sip of wine the temptation came stronger and stronger.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
I myself only drink water; he takes just a sip of white wine.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Take a sip of water, Mike, like a reg'lar one, and cut loose.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock
T. S. Stribling

British Dictionary definitions for sip

sip

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 Formssipper, 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

Word Origin and History for sip

late 14c., of uncertain origin, perhaps from a source related to Low German sippen "to sip," or from Old English sypian "absorb, drink in," related to supan "to take into the mouth a little at a time" (see sup (v.2)). Related: Sipped; sipping.

c.1500, from sip (v.).