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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

He could pick teacups off the top of the backboard.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bowl 
• drink 
• mug