coffeepot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Everyday, domestic; neutral to informal. Rare in formal or technical writing.
Quick answer
What does “coffeepot” mean?
A pot with a lid, spout, and handle, specifically designed for brewing and/or serving coffee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pot with a lid, spout, and handle, specifically designed for brewing and/or serving coffee.
The physical object used in coffee preparation; by extension, can informally refer to a coffee maker (especially older percolator types) or a source of coffee, as in 'The office coffeepot is always empty by 10 AM.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. The word is used in both varieties. 'Cafetière' is a common UK term for a French press, which is a specific type of coffeepot.
Connotations
Neutral in both. May evoke a more traditional, non-electric method of brewing in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, where 'pot of coffee' is a standard phrase. In the UK, 'coffee jug' or specific terms like 'percolator' or 'cafetière' might be used for particular types.
Grammar
How to Use “coffeepot” in a Sentence
VERB + coffeepot: fill, heat, place, clean, polish, breakADJECTIVE + coffeepot: ceramic, electric, antique, percolatorcoffeepot + VERB: sits, boils, drips, containsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in office/breakroom contexts ('refill the coffeepot').
Academic
Very rare, except perhaps in historical or design studies.
Everyday
Primary context. Used in domestic and social situations.
Technical
Not a technical term; specific appliance types (espresso machine, Moka pot, Chemex) are used instead.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coffeepot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coffeepot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coffeepot”
- Spelling as two words ('coffee pot') is common but the closed compound is standard. Using 'kettle' interchangeably (a kettle is for boiling water, not brewing coffee).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard spelling is as one closed compound word: 'coffeepot'. The open spelling 'coffee pot' is seen but is less common in edited writing.
A kettle is used solely to boil water. A coffeepot is designed to brew and/or serve coffee, often involving a filtering mechanism. You boil water in a kettle to then use in a coffeepot.
It can, but informally and usually when referring to the whole appliance as the source of coffee (e.g., 'I'll start the coffeepot'). Technically, 'coffee maker' or the specific machine name is more precise.
Yes, functionally it is. In British English, it is most commonly called a 'cafetière'. In American English, it's a 'French press' or sometimes generically a 'coffeepot'.
A pot with a lid, spout, and handle, specifically designed for brewing and/or serving coffee.
Coffeepot is usually everyday, domestic; neutral to informal. rare in formal or technical writing. in register.
Coffeepot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒf.i.pɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔː.fi.pɑːt/ or /ˈkɑ.fi.pɑt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A watched pot never boils (often applied to a coffeepot)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two parts: COFFEE + POT. It's a pot for coffee, just like a teapot is for tea.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR A STIMULATING SUBSTANCE (source of energy/wakefulness).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be called a 'coffeepot' in everyday English?