What does demitasse mean?
A demitasse is a very small cup, generally holding between two and three fluid ounces, used to serve strong black coffee — particularly espresso — often at the close of a meal. The word also refers by extension to the small portion of coffee itself. Borrowed from French in the nineteenth century, its name translates literally as 'half cup,' reflecting the vessel's reduced size relative to an ordinary coffee cup. Demitasses are typically made of porcelain or ceramic, sometimes ornately decorated, and are traditionally accompanied by a matching saucer and a small demitasse spoon. The term carries an air of refinement and formality, appearing frequently in descriptions of fine dining, hotel service, and European café tradition. While everyday speakers might simply say 'espresso cup,' 'demitasse' remains the precise, traditional term favored in culinary writing, menus, and hospitality settings, lending any sentence in which it appears a touch of elegance.
nounA small cup used to serve coffee, especially after a meal, typically holding about two to three ounces; also, the small cup of strong black coffee served in it.
- A small cup used for serving strong black coffee, especially after dinner.
- A small serving of strong black coffee, such as espresso, served in such a cup.
"After dinner, she lingered over a demitasse of espresso on the terrace."
"The waiter set down a silver tray bearing two porcelain demitasses and a dish of sugar cubes."
"He ended the meal with a demitasse and a square of dark chocolate."
The standard English plural adds '-es.' Because the word ends in a sibilant sound, the plural is pronounced /ˈdɛmɪtæsɪz/.
"The antique shop displayed a collection of hand-painted demitasses from Limoges."
Its name is pure French — literally 'half cup' — because this tiny vessel holds only half the coffee of an ordinary cup.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demitasse
Demitasse entered English from French in the mid-nineteenth century. It combines the French prefix 'demi-' (half), ultimately from Latin 'dimidius,' with 'tasse' (cup), which derives from Arabic 'ṭas(t),' meaning a cup or bowl, absorbed into French through medieval contact. The name thus literally means 'half cup,' describing the vessel's capacity relative to a standard coffee cup. Cognate forms appear in other Romance languages that likewise borrowed the Arabic word for cup.
How demitasse is actually used
The word carries a refined, slightly formal connotation, evoking elegant dining and European café culture. In modern usage it most often appears in contexts involving espresso or after-dinner coffee service. The plural may be written 'demitasses'; the French plural 'demitasse' (unchanged) is occasionally seen but rare in English.
Easily confused with demitasse
An espresso is the concentrated coffee itself, while a demitasse is the small cup in which such coffee is traditionally served.