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DictionarysaucerDish under a cup
noun

saucer

SAW-ser/ˈsɔːsər/

A shallow disk-shaped dish supporting a cup.

A matching teacup rests on a small, shallow ceramic saucer.

A small shallow ceramic saucer beneath a matching teacup, viewed obliquely so its broad exposed rim and low profile are unmistakable.
Etymology
saucerOld Frenchsauce dish

A saucer was originally a small dish for serving sauce at the table. The name later came to mean a shallow dish beneath a cup, supporting it and catching spills.

In context

Audiobooks. Full length, free74:21
when taking coffee never pour it into your saucer but let it cool in the cup and drink from that
GENTLEMEN’S BOOK OF ETIQUETTE. by CECIL B. HARTLEY.. Audiobook - full length, free

More examples

  • She sets her teaspoon on the saucer beside her cup.
  • The saucer catches a few drops of spilled coffee.
  • We need six cups and six saucers for tea.

Forms

saucer · saucers

Similar words

plate
Usually larger and intended for food rather than supporting cups.
dish
A broader term that includes containers of various depths and purposes.