spout cup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Domestic
Quick answer
What does “spout cup” mean?
A cup designed for toddlers or young children, featuring a spout (protruding lip) to aid drinking and reduce spillage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cup designed for toddlers or young children, featuring a spout (protruding lip) to aid drinking and reduce spillage.
Any drinking vessel or dispenser that features a spout for controlled pouring, sometimes used in technical or medical contexts for precise liquid delivery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK usage often prefers 'beaker' for the same object. In the US, 'sippy cup' is the overwhelmingly more common term.
Connotations
'Spout cup' is a straightforward descriptive term. 'Sippy cup' (US) is trademark-derived but genericized and carries a more modern, child-centric connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low in both dialects. 'Sippy cup' (US) and 'beaker' or 'trainer cup' (UK) are far more frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “spout cup” in a Sentence
[Parent/Carer] gave [Child] the spout cup.[Child] drank from the spout cup.We need to buy a new spout cup.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in retail/wholesale descriptions of baby products.
Academic
Very rare. Could appear in developmental psychology or pediatric studies.
Everyday
Exclusively in domestic/parenting contexts, though outcompeted by more common terms.
Technical
Possible in industrial design or product safety documentation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spout cup”
- Using 'spout cup' in general conversation where 'sippy cup' (US) or 'beaker' (UK) is expected.
- Confusing it with a 'sports bottle' which has a different spout mechanism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, descriptive term. 'Sippy cup' (US) and 'beaker' or 'trainer cup' (UK) are far more common in everyday speech.
Primarily toddlers and young children (approximately 6 months to 3 years old) who are transitioning from a bottle to an open cup.
Generally not recommended, as the spout can direct hot liquid quickly into a child's mouth and most are made of plastic not intended for high temperatures.
It allows the child to practice independent drinking while significantly reducing spills due to the controlled flow from the spout, often aided by a valve.
A cup designed for toddlers or young children, featuring a spout (protruding lip) to aid drinking and reduce spillage.
Spout cup is usually informal, domestic in register.
Spout cup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaʊt ˌkʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaʊt ˌkʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specifically for this compound noun.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a kettle (which has a spout) shrunk down into a child's cup to help them pour tea without spilling.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER IS A TOOL FOR TRANSITION (from bottle to open cup).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common everyday synonym for 'spout cup' in American English?