# sip

/ˈsɪp/ (US) · /sˈɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sip
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to drink slowly

verb · CEFR B1

to drink something in very small amounts at a time.

For teachers: to consume a liquid by taking small mouthfuls, typically to savour the flavour or because the liquid is hot.

- She sat by the fire and slowly sipped her hot chocolate.
- The connoisseur sipped the vintage wine, allowing the complex notes of oak and dark fruit to linger on his palate before swallowing.

Usage: Often used with 'at' or as a transitive verb taking a direct object.

### 2. a small mouthful

noun · CEFR B1

a very small amount of a drink that you take into your mouth.

For teachers: a small quantity of liquid taken into the mouth at one time.

- He took a sip of the water to clear his throat before speaking.
- After just one sip of the overly bitter coffee, she decided to add a generous amount of sugar and cream.

## Examples

- She likes to sip her hot tea while reading.
- The guests sat on the balcony to sip their wine and watch the sun go down over the hills.
- Rather than gulping the water after his run, he chose to sip it slowly to avoid stomach cramps while his body temperature returned to normal.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.