# tea

/ˈti/ (US) · /tˈiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tea
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the drink

noun · CEFR A1

a drink made by pouring hot water over dried leaves.

For teachers: a beverage made by infusing the dried leaves or buds of the Camellia sinensis plant in hot water.

- She likes to drink green tea with a little bit of honey in the morning.
- The host served a delicate oolong tea, carefully monitoring the water temperature to avoid scorching the leaves.

### 2. afternoon snack

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a light meal eaten in the late afternoon, usually with tea and cake.

For teachers: a light midafternoon social meal, typically consisting of tea, sandwiches, and pastries.

- We decided to have tea at a small café near the park at four o'clock.
- The hotel offers a traditional high tea service, complete with clotted cream, strawberry jam, and a selection of finger sandwiches.

### 3. evening meal

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Dialect

the main meal of the day, eaten in the early evening.

For teachers: the primary evening meal, often used as a synonym for supper or dinner in certain regional dialects.

- The kids are hungry, so I need to start cooking tea now.
- In many working-class households in the North of England, 'tea' refers to the substantial meal served when the family returns from work.

### 4. gossip

noun · CEFR B2 · Slang · Informal

interesting information or secrets about someone's private life.

For teachers: information, specifically juicy or scandalous gossip.

- Call me later because I have some major tea to spill about our old boss.
- Social media influencers often gain followers by promising to spill the tea on recent industry dramas and private disagreements.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'spill the tea'.

### 5. to drink tea

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · British English

to drink tea or to have a light meal with tea.

For teachers: to consume tea or to participate in the social ritual of afternoon tea.

- They spent the afternoon teaing and talking about their summer holidays.
- The ladies were found teaing in the drawing room when the unexpected guest arrived at the estate.

## Examples

- I usually drink green tea in the morning.
- She sat by the window with a cup of hot tea and watched the rain fall.
- The global trade of tea shaped colonial economies for centuries, leading to the development of distinct cultural ceremonies surrounding its preparation and consumption.

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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.