dessertspoon
Low (primarily UK/Commonwealth; specialized/technical contexts in US)Neutral to Formal in culinary/medical contexts; everyday in UK domestic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A spoon of medium size, between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, used for eating dessert or cereal.
A unit of measurement, especially in cooking or in a medical/chemical context, equivalent to two teaspoons or approximately 10 millilitres.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the physical utensil. As a unit of measure, it is precise in recipes and medical dosages (abbreviated 'dsp' or 'dstspn'). Often part of a cutlery set.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The utensil and the term are common in UK domestic life. In the US, the physical spoon is less standard; 'dessert spoon' is often understood as a 'tablespoon' (for eating) or a specific measuring spoon. The unit of measure is more common in UK/Australian recipes.
Connotations
UK: Domestic normality, traditional table setting. US: Slightly formal, old-fashioned, or specifically technical (pharmacy, older recipes).
Frequency
High frequency in UK/Commonwealth domestic and culinary contexts. Low frequency in general American English, except in specific fields like nursing or vintage cookbooks.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] a dessertspoon of [N][Adj] dessertspoonmeasured in dessertspoonsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not born with a silver dessertspoon in one's mouth (rare variant of 'silver spoon').”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except perhaps in manufacturing/selling cutlery.
Academic
Used in historical domestic studies, nutrition, pharmacology.
Everyday
Common in UK/Australian homes for eating and informal recipe measurement.
Technical
Precise unit in medicine (dosage), chemistry, and professional cookery.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Set the dessertspoon to the right of the plate.
- Add a dessertspoon of custard powder.
American English
- The old recipe called for a dessertspoon of vanilla extract.
- In this pharmacy, a dessertspoon equals exactly 10 mL.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need a dessertspoon for my yoghurt.
- The instructions say to take one dessertspoon of medicine after meals.
- A standard British dessertspoon holds about 10 millilitres, whereas an American tablespoon is closer to 15.
- The Edwardian etiquette dictated that the dessertspoon should be laid with its bowl facing upwards, parallel to the table's edge.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two S's in 'dessertspoon' – one for the sweet dessert, one for the spoon itself.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASURE IS CONTAINMENT (a dessertspoon of patience). STANDARDISATION IS ORDER (a level dessertspoon).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'десерт' (dessert) – the spoon is for dessert, not made of dessert. Not to be confused with 'ложка' (spoon) without specifying size.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with a tablespoon or teaspoon. Misspelling as 'desertspoon' (missing an 's'). Using it as a verb (*'Dessertspoon the mixture').
Practice
Quiz
In a professional British kitchen context, 'dsp' is most likely to mean:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A dessertspoon is typically smaller. A UK dessertspoon is 10ml, a UK tablespoon is 15ml. In the US, a 'tablespoon' for eating is large, but a 'dessert spoon' is not a standard utensil; a US measuring tablespoon is 15ml.
Use it for eating desserts, puddings, or cereals. Also use it as a precise measure in cooking (especially UK/Australian recipes) or for liquid medicine.
American standard cutlery sets traditionally omitted this size, standardising on teaspoon, tablespoon, and soup spoon. The term persists in technical measurements and older cultural references.
Yes, commonly as 'dsp' or 'dstspn' in written recipes or medical instructions to distinguish it from 'tsp' (teaspoon) and 'tbsp' (tablespoon).