Sip: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to taking a small amount of liquid into your mouth to enjoy its taste gently.

• She took a sip of her tea and smiled.
• He sipped his coffee while reading the newspaper.

Use when referring to consuming a liquid at a leisurely pace.

• He likes to drink his wine slowly to savor the flavor.
• She drank her tea slowly, enjoying the warmth and aroma.

Use when trying a small amount of food or drink to experience its flavor, often for the first time.

• She tasted the soup to see if it needed more salt.
• He tasted the wine and detected hints of berry and oak.

Use when trying a small amount of food or drink to evaluate its quality or flavor.

• Would you like to sample some of our new chocolate?
• He sampled several wines before choosing his favorite.

Use 'sip' when you are drinking a small amount of a beverage, usually slowly, to enjoy the flavor or to test the temperature. It is often used for drinks like tea, coffee, or wine.

• She took a sip of her hot coffee to see if it had the right amount of sugar

Use 'drink' when you are consuming any kind of liquid. It is a general term that can be used in most situations.

• He needed to drink a lot of water after his long run

Use 'taste' when you are trying a small amount of food or drink to see what its flavor is like. This word is often used when trying something new or checking the quality.

• She tasted the soup to make sure it had enough salt

Use 'gulp' when you are drinking quickly and in large amounts. This word gives the sense of urgency or being very thirsty.

• After running the marathon, he gulped down the bottle of water in seconds