tea

[ tee ]

/ ti /

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noun

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

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

the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.

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

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

beef bouillon.

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.

an afternoon reception at which tea is served.

Slang. marijuana.

Slang. interesting or confidential information; gossip; news: I hear you were talking to Sandy yesterday—what’s the tea?

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Idioms about tea

one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one: Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.

spill the tea, Slang. 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.

Origin of tea

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

OTHER WORDS FROM tea

tea·less, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tea

tea , tee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tea in a sentence

The best whiskies are made with finesse and the same attention to detail and mindfulness as the finest teas or sushi.
Watch Out, Scotland! Japanese Whisky Is on the Rise|Kayleigh Kulp|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Flock to this beautiful tea house to get a taste of authentic Japanese teas and sweets.
The Sweet Side of New York City|Emily Chang|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kids will love the Rawther Fancy Teas with Santa, an hour-long tea party in the Eloise Shop (212-546-5460; Fridays in December).
The Untouristy Guide to the Holidays in New York|Condé Nast Traveler|December 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I know I would have tried natural teas/herbs/foods to try to start an abortion/miscarriage.
In North Dakota, Women Who Had the Choice to Abort|Winston Ross|March 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Since cold beverages can actually lower your core temperature, drink hot teas or warm water with lemon.
6 Snacks to Eat for Your Workout|Divya Gugnani|August 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Yet everywhere, as at New York, the merchants bound themselves not to import any British teas.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
But she could not afford to risk being cut off from those little garden teas.
Hilda|Sarah Jeanette Duncan
The notes contained invitations to teas and dinners, the parcels small offerings to himself.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
At the end of twenty days the question must be decided, and if the teas were landed all was lost.
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson
Took the girls out to ice-cream sociables and yellow teas every day you wasn't playing golf or hop-scotch, I suppose.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

British Dictionary definitions for tea

tea

/ (tiː) /

noun

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

the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
such a beverage, served hot or iced
(as modifier)tea caddy; tea urn

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

mainly British

Also called: afternoon tea a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
(as modifier)a tea party
Also called: high tea afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish

British, Australian and NZ the main evening meal

US and Canadian old-fashioned, slang marijuana

tea and sympathy informal a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble

Word Origin for tea

C17: from Chinese (Amoy) t'e, from Ancient Chinese d`a

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with tea

tea

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