cup

A small round container, usually with a handle, that you drink from.

• My cup is empty.
• She washed the cups after breakfast.
• This cup has a broken handle.

Common phrases: tea cup, an empty cup, cup and saucer

The amount of a drink held in a small drinking container.

• I drank a cup of tea.
• Would you like another cup?
• He has two cups of coffee every morning.

How to use it: a cup of something (Would you like a cup of coffee?)

Similar words: cupful

Common phrases: a cup of tea, a cup of coffee, another cup

A cooking measure holding about 240 milliliters, used for liquids and dry ingredients.

• Add one cup of rice.
• This recipe needs two cups of flour.
• Measure half a cup of melted butter.

How to use it: a cup of something (Add a cup of milk to the mixture.)

Common phrases: a cup of flour, measuring cup, half a cup

A prize, often a large metal container, given to the winner of a sports competition.

• Our team won the cup.
• The captain lifted the silver cup above her head.
• They displayed their cups in the club entrance.

Similar words: trophy

Common phrases: win a cup, lift the cup, a silver cup, win the cup

To bend your hands into a rounded shape that can hold something.

• Cup your hands to catch the water.
• He cupped his hands around his mouth.
• She cupped one hand behind her ear to hear better.

How to use it: cup your hands around something (She cupped her hands around her mouth and called out.)

Common phrases: cup your hands, cup hands together, cup hands around something

To hold something gently in one or both rounded hands.

• She cupped his face gently.
• He cupped the bird in his hands.
• The child cupped a warm stone in her palm.

How to use it: cup something in your hands (He cupped the tiny bird in his hands.)

Similar words: cradle

Common phrases: cup someone’s face, cup something gently, cup someone’s chin

To put a drink into small drinking containers, often to taste and compare it.

• They cupped the freshly brewed coffee.
• We cup each sample before comparing its flavor.
• The assistant cupped the drinks for the tasting.

Common phrases: cup the coffee, cup coffee samples