What does sip mean?
To sip means to drink a small amount of liquid slowly and gently, usually one mouthful at a time. The associated noun, a sip, refers to the small quantity taken in this manner: “She took a sip of coffee.” In ordinary use, sip suggests a measured, leisurely, and often delicate action rather than the rapid drinking associated with gulping or swallowing a larger amount. It can also describe drinking casually or in moderation, particularly in expressions such as “sipping wine.” Figuratively, the verb may mean to take or absorb something in small portions, as when someone sips information from a report or time from a demanding schedule. The word is common in British and American English and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It appears in familiar expressions involving tea, coffee, water, and other drinks, while the noun is especially useful for referring to a single small mouthful.
To drink a small amount of liquid slowly, or to take repeated small mouthfuls.
"They sat outside sipping lemonade."
The verb can also be used figuratively for taking in information, time, or attention gradually.
A small amount of liquid taken into the mouth slowly.
"He took a sip of water and set the glass down."
The plural form is “sips.”
Use “sips” for separate small quantities or mouthfuls of a drink.
"She took a few sips of the warm tea."
Sip comes from an Old English word associated with drinking, linking the modern expression to a long-established English habit of taking small, leisurely mouthfuls.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sip come from?
The word comes from Old English syppan, meaning “to drink” or “to sip,” and is related to other Germanic forms associated with drinking. The modern verb developed from this older English root, while the noun “sip” also has an older history in the language. Its Germanic connections include words such as “sup,” and the broader vocabulary of soup ultimately reflects the same ancient Germanic family of words associated with liquid food and drink.
Related word forms
How sip is actually used
The word is neutral in British and American English. In its figurative senses, it can describe taking a small amount of information, time, or attention, as in “sip from a fountain of knowledge.”
Easily confused with sip
A sip is liquid taken into the mouth deliberately and slowly, whereas seepage is liquid that passes slowly through soil, fabric, or another material.