English · Word Candidate

sip

/sɪp/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: sips · sipping · sipped

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A small mouthful of drink.

Noun

Examples

So order one more coffee / Have another sip of wine / We can go on talking / Until it's disco closing time

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An event at which people drink alcohol in small, usually subintoxicating amounts.

Noun

Examples

Earl is always a good time. His appearance at parties, whether it's a smart cocktail sip or a basement gig, is mandatory.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To drink slowly, small mouthfuls at a time.

Verb

Examples

He held out to me a bowl of steaming broth, that filled the room with a savour sweeter, ten thousand times, to me than every rose and lily of the world; yet would not let me drink it at a gulp, but made me sip it with a spoon like any baby.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To drink a small quantity.

Verb

Examples

[She] rais'd it to her mouth with sober grace; / Then, sipping, offered to the next in place.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “sip” mean?

A small mouthful of drink.

Is “sip” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.