rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysipSmall mouthful of drink
noun / verb

sip

SIP/sɪp/

A small mouthful of a drink, or to drink in small mouthfuls.

She takes a small sip from the teacup.

A relaxed young woman takes a delicate sip from a small teacup, its rim barely tilted against her gently pursed lips.
Etymology
sipMiddle Englishdrink little by little

Middle English sippen already meant drinking little by little, so the small-mouthful sense is longstanding. Its earlier origin is uncertain; one possibility is a modification of sup intended to suggest a slighter action.

In context

jota ka109:32
they can see the great white flowers bright in the light of the full moon and they go to them to sip the nectar and in doing so pollinate the cactus
kingdom of plants - Sir David Attenborough

More examples

  • He took a small sip of water.
  • They sipped their drinks while waiting.
  • One sip was enough to tell that the milk had spoiled.

Forms

sip · sips · sipped · sipping

Similar words

taste
A small amount taken to assess flavor.
swallow
One act of taking liquid into the throat, not necessarily small.