Teacup
A teacup is a small cup, usually with a handle and often a matching saucer, used for serving tea and other hot beverages.
A teacup is a small cup, usually with a handle and often a matching saucer, used for serving tea and other hot beverages. Teacups are commonly made of porcelain or other ceramics and are also produced as decorative collectibles. The term is also used figuratively in idioms such as “storm in a teacup.”
Definition
A teacup is a cup designed for tea service, typically smaller than a coffee cup. It is commonly described as a small cup with a handle, often used with a saucer.
Design and materials
Teacups are usually made of porcelain or ceramic, though other materials such as glass and plastic are also used. Many teacups are decorated with patterns or images, and some are intended mainly for display.
Use and serving customs
Teacups are often part of a larger tea set that may include a teapot, sugar bowl, cream jug, and matching saucers. They are used for tea and sometimes for coffee or other hot drinks.
Language and idioms
The word teacup is also used figuratively in English. A common idiom, “storm in a teacup,” refers to a minor issue that is treated as more serious than it is.
Key facts
- A teacup is a small cup used mainly for drinking tea.
- It usually has a handle and is often sold with a saucer.
- Traditional teacups are commonly made of porcelain or other ceramics.
- Teacups may be decorative and collected as objects.
- The word also appears in the idiom “storm in a teacup,” meaning an exaggerated fuss over something minor.
Teacups are part of everyday tableware in Canadian households, tea rooms, and formal dining settings, and the term is widely used in Canadian English in both literal and idiomatic senses.
Frequently asked questions
What is a teacup?
What is a teacup usually made of?
Does a teacup usually come with a saucer?
Can teacups be used for drinks other than tea?
What does “storm in a teacup” mean?
References
- Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeacupSupports: Basic definition, common materials, saucer use, decorative use
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeacupSupports: Cup-and-saucer set, tea set context, size relative to coffee cups
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teacupSupports: Definition as a small cup with a handle used with a saucer for hot beverages
- Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/teacupSupports: Definition and idiom “storm in a teacup”
- Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/teacupSupports: Meaning, teacupful sense, idiom, historical note