teacup

[tee-kuhp]

noun

1. a cup in which tea is served, usually of small or moderate size.

2. a teacupful.

teacup

/ ˈtiːˌkʌp /

noun

1. a cup out of which tea may be drunk, larger than a coffee cup

2. Also called: teacupful. the amount a teacup will hold, about four fluid ounces

Word History and Origins

Origin of teacup¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; tea + cup

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. tempest in a teacup / teapot, a disturbance or uproar about little or nothing: Also storm in a teacup.

   The fight over who should become the next assistant treasurer of the organization is just a tempest in a teacup.

Example Sentences

Your first inclination will be to try to solve it like a puzzle, where you’ll search for the pieces that match, the teacup or bowl you can reassemble.

Read more on Salon

Lady Constance nearly dropped her teacup but recovered.

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Phil Rutherford, a radiological risk expert and corporate consultant, called the delayed notification “unacceptable” but said the San Francisco health department’s letter was “a storm in a teacup” considering the low levels of radioactive material.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Seven Teacups Trail, about 4 miles long, is known for its continuous, cascading pools that resemble teacups.

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If two of those incidents are little more than storms in teacups, one is anything but.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bowl 
• drink 
• mug