sip
Medium-highNeutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To drink by taking very small mouthfuls.
To consume a liquid slowly or cautiously; also used figuratively to mean to absorb or experience something in small amounts (e.g., information, an atmosphere).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a deliberate, careful, or savouring action, often of a hot or valuable beverage. It can also suggest reluctance or hesitation when applied figuratively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning and usage are virtually identical. Slight collocational preference in UK English for 'sip' with 'tea' and in US English with 'coffee', though both are common.
Connotations
Generally neutral. May connote gentility, leisure, or caution.
Frequency
Used with comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] sip [Object] (e.g., She sipped her tea).[Subject] sip at [Object] (e.g., He sipped at the hot chocolate).[Subject] take a sip of [Object] (e.g., I took a sip of water).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sip and savour”
- “Sip away the hours (suggests leisurely passing of time)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically, e.g., 'The market is only just sipping at the new technology.'
Academic
Rare in core academic texts. May appear in literary analysis or descriptions of behaviour.
Everyday
Very common for describing drinking hot beverages, wine, etc.
Technical
Used in food/drink criticism (e.g., wine tasting) and sometimes in medical contexts regarding fluid intake.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He sipped his Darjeeling while reading the paper.
- Would you like to sip this to see if it's too hot?
American English
- She sipped her iced coffee on the porch.
- Just sip the broth; don't drink it all at once.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverb form for 'sip'.
American English
- Not a standard adverb form for 'sip'.
adjective
British English
- Not a standard adjective form for 'sip'.
American English
- Not a standard adjective form for 'sip'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I sip my water.
- The tea is hot. Please sip it slowly.
- She took a small sip of the medicine.
- He sipped at his drink, feeling nervous.
- We sat in the garden, sipping lemonade and chatting.
- Investors are only willing to sip cautiously at this new market.
- The novel allows the reader to sip leisurely from a rich stream of consciousness.
- He sipped the rare brandy, appreciating its complex bouquet.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SIP sounds like a tiny 'sip' of something. Compare to 'SLURP' (loud) and 'GULP' (big) - SIP is the small, quiet one.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMING INFORMATION/EXPERIENCE IS DRINKING (e.g., 'She sipped the details from the report').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not synonymous with 'пить' (to drink) which is the general action. 'Sip' is a specific manner of drinking. Closer to 'пить маленькими глотками' or 'прихлёбывать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sip' for fast drinking. Incorrect: *'He sipped his beer quickly after the race.' Correct: 'He gulped his beer...'
- Confusing 'sip' (verb/noun) with 'slip' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the action 'to sip'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is most common with hot drinks but can be used for any liquid consumed slowly (e.g., sip a cocktail, sip water).
'Drink' is the general verb. 'Sip' specifies the manner: to drink in very small mouthfuls, often slowly.
Yes, e.g., 'She took a sip of water.' It means a small mouthful of a drink.
It is neutral and can be used in most contexts, though it is very common in everyday spoken language.