Cup: meaning, definitions and examples

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cup

 

[ kสŒp ]

Context #1 | Noun

drinking

A cup is a small open container used for drinking liquids. It is typically cylindrical in shape and may have a handle for easy holding.

Synonyms

beaker, goblet, mug.

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Word Description / Examples
cup

A general term often used for drinking utensils, usually smaller in size, and commonly associated with tea or coffee. Can be made of various materials like ceramic, glass, or plastic.

  • She poured herself a cup of tea
  • He drank a cup of water
mug

A sturdy container for holding hot beverages like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Usually larger than a cup and has a handle. Often made of ceramic or metal.

  • He likes to drink his morning coffee from a large mug
  • The mug was filled with steaming hot chocolate
beaker

Typically used in scientific contexts for measuring and mixing liquids. Made of glass or plastic, and has a straight, cylindrical shape with a pouring lip.

  • The scientist carefully poured the chemicals into the beaker
  • She mixed the solution in a beaker
goblet

Often used for drinking wine or other beverages in a formal or celebratory setting. Usually made from glass, metal, or sometimes expensive materials like gold or silver.

  • They toasted with goblets filled with red wine
  • The king's goblet was encrusted with jewels

Examples of usage

  • I poured myself a cup of coffee in the morning.
  • She offered me a cup of tea to warm up.
  • We need to buy some new cups for the office kitchen.
Context #2 | Noun

measurement

In cooking and baking, a cup is a unit of volume measurement equal to 8 fluid ounces or 240 milliliters.

Synonyms

measure, portion, unit.

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Word Description / Examples
cup

Used to refer to a specific volume in cooking and baking recipes, often abbreviated as 'c'.

  • Add one cup of sugar to the mixture.
  • The recipe calls for 2 cups of flour.
measure

Refers to the act of determining the size, amount, or degree of something, often using standard units.

  • Carefully measure two tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Measure the length of the table before buying a cloth.
unit

Used to refer to a fixed quantity or standard amount in various contexts, including scientific and mathematical measurements.

  • One unit of insulin may be needed for this dose.
  • The building has twenty apartment units.
portion

Used to refer to a specific amount of food meant for one person, often in the context of dieting or serving sizes.

  • The restaurant serves large portions.
  • She had a small portion of cake.

Examples of usage

  • The recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar.
  • She added 2 cups of flour to the mixture.
Context #3 | Noun

trophy

A cup is also a trophy or prize awarded in sports competitions, often in the form of a large, decorative cup.

Synonyms

award, prize, trophy.

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Word Description / Examples
cup

A 'cup' is often used for sporting events and competitions, where winners receive a physical cup-shaped trophy. It can be used both for the actual object and the name of the competition itself.

  • The team won the World Cup
  • He proudly displayed the cup on his shelf
trophy

A 'trophy' is a specific kind of award, typically a statue or cup, given especially in sports or competitions. It usually carries a sense of prestige and honor.

  • The team lifted the championship trophy
  • She has a shelf full of tennis trophies
prize

A 'prize' is often used to describe something received after winning a contest, competition, or lottery. It can range from a physical object to experiences like trips or money.

  • He won a trip to Paris as a prize in the competition
  • The lottery has a grand prize of one million dollars
award

An 'award' is a broad term used for any form of recognition usually given in a formal setting, such as a ceremony. It encompasses certificates, medals, and trophies, given for various achievements in different fields, not limited to sports.

  • She received an award for her contribution to science
  • The film won several awards at the festival

Examples of usage

  • The team celebrated their victory by lifting the championship cup.
  • The tennis player proudly displayed her collection of tournament cups.

Translations

Translations of the word "cup" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น copo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคช

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Tasse

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ cangkir

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‡ะฐัˆะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kubek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ซใƒƒใƒ—

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tasse

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ taza

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fincan

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ปต

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒูˆุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลกรกlek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลกรกlka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฏๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ skodelica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ bolli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆั‹ะฝั‹ะฐัา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒญแƒ˜แƒฅแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fincan

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ taza

Etymology

The word 'cup' has roots in Old English and is derived from the Latin word 'cuppa'. It has been used for centuries to refer to a container for drinking liquids. In sports, the concept of awarding a cup as a prize dates back to ancient times, symbolizing victory and achievement. The measurement cup became standardized in the culinary world to ensure accurate recipes and proportions.

See also: cupboard, cupcake, cupola.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,644, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.