coffee spoon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Semi-formal, somewhat technical (in culinary contexts)
Quick answer
What does “coffee spoon” mean?
A small spoon, typically used for stirring coffee or for serving small amounts of food such as dessert or sugar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small spoon, typically used for stirring coffee or for serving small amounts of food such as dessert or sugar.
A unit of measurement in cooking, equivalent to 2.5-3 ml or one-fifth of a tablespoon. Also refers to the style and etiquette associated with formal coffee service.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is precise and associated with formal dining or antique silverware. In the US, it is less commonly used in everyday speech; 'teaspoon' is often used generically for small spoons, even for coffee.
Connotations
UK: Suggests refinement, formal tea/coffee service, or heirloom cutlery. US: Can sound slightly old-fashioned or very specific; more likely used in culinary measurements or describing antique sets.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but higher in UK contexts discussing etiquette, antiques, or formal dining. In the US, 'demitasse spoon' is a more common specific term for a small coffee spoon.
Grammar
How to Use “coffee spoon” in a Sentence
The [adjective] coffee spoonA coffee spoon of [substance]Serve with a coffee spoonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coffee spoon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She carefully coffee-spooned the sugar into the cup.
- The butler was coffee-spooning the after-dinner mints.
American English
- He coffee-spooned the instant granules into the mug.
- The recipe says to coffee-spoon the spice into the mix.
adverb
British English
- He added the salt coffee-spoonfully.
- She stirred the mixture coffee-spoon slow.
American English
- Measure the vanilla coffee-spoon carefully.
- He drank his espresso coffee-spoon by coffee-spoon.
adjective
British English
- The coffee-spoon measurement was surprisingly accurate.
- A coffee-spoon moment of tranquillity.
American English
- Use a coffee-spoon amount of extract.
- It was a coffee-spoon gesture, small but appreciated.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality, catering supply, or antiques/auction listings.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical, cultural studies, or design papers discussing dining rituals.
Everyday
Used in contexts of formal dining, setting a table, or in specific cooking/recipe instructions.
Technical
Used in culinary arts as a precise unit of volume (approx. 2.5 ml).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coffee spoon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coffee spoon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coffee spoon”
- Using 'teaspoon' and 'coffee spoon' interchangeably in formal writing.
- Pronouncing it as /kəʊf/ instead of /ˈkɒfi/ or /ˈkɔːfi/.
- Assuming it is a standard unit in all recipe books.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A coffee spoon is typically smaller (about 2.5-3 ml) and used specifically for coffee or small desserts. A teaspoon is larger (about 5 ml) and is the standard small spoon for tea, cereal, or general use. In many homes, a teaspoon is used for coffee.
It is not very common in everyday casual speech. Its use is more frequent in formal dining, etiquette guides, antique collecting, and sometimes in precise culinary measurements.
Yes, though rare and often hyphenated ('to coffee-spoon'). It means to measure or serve something with a coffee spoon, e.g., 'Coffee-spoon the salt into the mixture.'
Because Russian typically uses 'чайная ложка' (teaspoon) for both tea and coffee contexts. The specific English term 'coffee spoon' and its smaller measurement are not commonly mirrored in Russian domestic language.
A small spoon, typically used for stirring coffee or for serving small amounts of food such as dessert or sugar.
Coffee spoon is usually formal / semi-formal, somewhat technical (in culinary contexts) in register.
Coffee spoon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒfi spuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːfi spuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a coffee spoon (very little value)”
- “A coffee spoon of sanity (a very small amount of something abstract)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two Fs in 'coffee' as two small spoons resting in a cup.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALLNESS/MEASUREMENT ("a coffee spoon of patience"), PRECISION/ETIQUETTE ("doing things by the coffee spoon").
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'coffee spoon' most precisely used?