tea

American  

[tee] / ti /

noun

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

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

3. the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.

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

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

6. beef bouillon.

7. 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.

8. an afternoon reception at which tea is served.

9. Slang. marijuana.

10. Slang. interesting or confidential information; gossip; news.

    I hear you were talking to Sandy yesterday—what’s the tea?

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idioms

1. spill the tea, to reveal interesting or confidential information; share gossip.

   In this exclusive clip, the famous actor spills the tea on who gets offered the best roles first.

2. one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one.

   Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.

tea British  

/ tiː /

noun

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

2. 1. the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water

   2. such a beverage, served hot or iced

   3. ( as modifier )

      tea caddy

      tea urn

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

   2. any such beverage

4. 1. Also called: afternoon tea.  a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches

   2. ( as modifier )

      a tea party

   3. Also called: high tea.  afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish

5. the main evening meal

6. old-fashioned marijuana

7. informal a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble

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tea More Idioms  

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

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Usage

What does tea mean in slang? There are, of course, many types of tea: green tea, bubble (boba) tea, the redundantly named chai tea, the tea tree and its oil, the Boston Tea Party, the teacup poodle, the Long Island iced tea, to name just a few.But in slang, tea means "gossip," a juicy scoop, or other personal information. (It’s best served piping hot.)

Other Word Forms

• tealess adjective

Etymology

Origin of tea

First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 tea for def. 9; from dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) t'e, akin to Chinese chá

Example Sentences

When Cathy first meets Edgar and Isabella, she climbs the wall of their estate and spies on the two having tea in a courtyard, where Isabella is extolling Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

From Salon

For he discovered skeleton, or as he describes it hurtling down the ice-covered track head first on a "very expensive tea tray."

From Barron's

"Somebody who was unable to carry a cup of tea with one arm can now walk from room to room holding it stably," he says.

From BBC

Clare Wilkins, for prosecution, said the 15-year-old was at home looking after his brother and went downstairs to make a cup of tea.

From BBC

It was "surprise gifts, thoughtful gestures and the kindness of a cup of tea in bed".

From BBC

Related Words

• gossip
• poop