slurp

American  

[slurp] / slɜrp /

verb (used with object)

1. to ingest (food or drink) with loud sucking noises.

   He slurped his coffee.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make loud sucking noises while eating or drinking.

   to slurp when eating soup.

noun

1. an intake of food or drink with a noisy sucking sound.

   He finished his milk in about three slurps.

2. any lapping or splashing sound.

   the slurp of the waves against the hull.

slurp British  

/ slɜːp /

verb

1. to eat or drink (something) noisily

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noun

1. a sound produced in this way

Etymology

Origin of slurp

First recorded in 1640–50, slurp is from the Dutch word slurpen (v.)

Explanation

If you suck your food noisily into your mouth, you slurp it. In Japan, it's considered good manners to slurp your noodles. Don't try that in England! There are some foods and drinks that you'll almost inevitably slurp, like hot soup and thick, cold milkshakes. Although fastidious eaters in the US might consider it bad form to slurp the foam off your cappuccino or slurp up the last few ramen noodles from your bowl, in some cultures it shows appreciation for your food. Slurp comes from the imitative Dutch word slurpen.

Example Sentences

Millar: The first thing you see of Slurp is this gloved hand coming out of the ground.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

In Slurp, a history of ramen, cultural historian Barak Kushner traces how movements between China and Japan shaped the rise of ramen and gyoza.

From Salon • May 30, 2023

Slurp and gulp before the springy noodles go limp.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2019

Slurp down oysters from Boqueron, which grow in mangroves and are “one of the cleanest oysters.”

From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2018

Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop: shio ramen; vegetarian shoyu ramen; roasted garlic mazemen; pork donburi; negi salad.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2014

Related Words

• absorb
• devour
• drink
• eat
• gobble
• gulp
• ingest
• inhale
• wash down