teacup

American  

[tee-kuhp] / ˈtiˌkʌp /

noun

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

2. a teacupful.

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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.

teacup British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of teacup

First recorded in 1690–1700; tea + cup

Example Sentences

“When people say, ‘Oh, it’s a teacup pig,’ I’m like, ‘That is not a thing. That does not exist,’” said Lynsey Rosen, a veterinarian in Southern California who treats dozens of mini pigs each month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, teapot and teacup plushies were among the items sold at special outlets in Beijing and Shanghai last year.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

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.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025

Momentary pictures emerge from the crackling cloud and then sink back — a girl walking, a simple clapboard building, a hand holding a teacup, a car careening over a steep embankment and more.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2024

“But we have to do something,” Poppet says, slamming her teacup down on the table.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• bowl
• drink
• mug