What does sipper mean?
A sipper is, most commonly, a person who takes small drinks rather than swallowing a beverage all at once. The word can also refer to a straw, narrow tube, or other utensil through which a liquid is consumed in small amounts. In everyday use, calling someone a sipper may imply that they are slow, deliberate, or enjoying a drink in moderation. The utensil sense is especially familiar from descriptions of lidded cups, straws, and reusable drink containers. Although the word is not especially regional, “sipper” is most natural in relatively informal speech; more formal contexts may instead use “straw” or “drinking tube” for the object. Its usefulness lies in compressing the idea of drinking into measured, restrained sips into a single common noun, whether describing a person or the implement used for the purpose.
nounA person who takes small drinks at a time. It can also denote a straw, tube, or similar utensil through which a liquid is sipped.
- A person who drinks slowly or takes small amounts at a time.
- A straw, tube, or similar utensil used for taking small sips of a liquid.
"The teacup came with a slender golden sipper."
"She was a patient sipper, nursing her coffee while the conversation continued."
"He inserted the plastic sipper and took a small drink through the lid."
Use sippers when referring to more than one person who sips or to multiple drinking utensils.
"The restaurant provided separate sippers with each children's drink."
One sip at a time: a sipper is either the person sipping or the straw doing the sipping.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sipper come from?
Sipper is an English noun formed from sip with the productive agent suffix -er, in the same general pattern as words such as reader and diner. Its earliest sense was therefore a person who sips or drinks slowly. The noun was later extended by functional association to an implement, particularly a straw or tube, through which a drink can be taken in small amounts.
Related word forms
How sipper is actually used
The word is generally neutral when referring to a person, though it may suggest someone who drinks cautiously or in small amounts. The utensil sense is more common in product descriptions and technical contexts.
Easily confused with sipper
A sipper takes small drinks or serves as a drinking tube, whereas a zipper closes clothing or a bag.