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

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.

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He could pick teacups off the top of the backboard.

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A month after the first signs of smoke and flame, victims are still mourning the loss of small things, a snapshot or a teacup.

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They walked through the remains Wednesday and took solace in what they could find among the wreckage — a cowbell, a Franciscan Apple china teacup and a Virgin Mary statue.

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Related Words

• bowl 
• drink 
• mug