Tea: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ต
tea
[ tiห ]
drink
A hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| tea |
Used specifically for the drink made by soaking cured leaves of the tea plant in hot water. Commonly used in everyday conversations, cafes, and when discussing flavors and types of tea.
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| beverage |
A general term for any kind of drink. Appropriate in formal contexts or when discussing drinks in a broad sense.
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| infusion |
Primarily used in a formal or technical context to describe drinks made by soaking herbs, fruit, or tea leaves in hot water. It can refer to medicinal teas as well.
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| brew |
Often used to describe the act of making tea or coffee, or the tea or coffee itself once made. It implies a process and is less commonly used in casual conversation.
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Examples of usage
- Would you like a cup of tea?
- I prefer green tea over black tea.
mealtime
A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes.
Synonyms
afternoon tea, refreshments, snack.
Examples of usage
- Let's have tea at 4pm.
- She prepares a lovely spread for tea.
British
A light afternoon meal consisting of sandwiches, cakes, and a pot of tea.
Synonyms
afternoon tea, cream tea, high tea.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| tea |
A general term for the beverage made by steeping cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant in hot water. It can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
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| high tea |
A more substantial meal than afternoon tea, traditionally served in the early evening and may include meats, bread, and other hearty foods. Sometimes confused with afternoon tea but distinct because of its heavier meal components.
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| afternoon tea |
A British tradition that typically involves drinking tea along with a light meal of sandwiches, scones, and pastries usually served between 3:30 to 4:30 PM.
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| cream tea |
A specific type of afternoon tea that includes scones, clotted cream, and jam, predominantly popular in the South West of England.
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Examples of usage
- Would you like to join me for tea?
- She hosts a lovely tea party.
Translations
Translations of the word "tea" in other languages:
๐ต๐น chรก
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเคฏ
๐ฉ๐ช Tee
๐ฎ๐ฉ teh
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐะน
๐ต๐ฑ herbata
๐ฏ๐ต ใ่ถ
๐ซ๐ท thรฉ
๐ช๐ธ tรฉ
๐น๐ท รงay
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฐจ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุดุงู
๐จ๐ฟ ฤaj
๐ธ๐ฐ ฤaj
๐จ๐ณ ่ถ
๐ธ๐ฎ ฤaj
๐ฎ๐ธ te
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐะน
๐ฌ๐ช แฉแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ รงay
๐ฒ๐ฝ tรฉ
Etymology
The word 'tea' originated from the Chinese word 't'e' and was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century. It became popular in Britain during the 18th century due to the British East India Company's trade with China. Tea played a significant role in British culture, leading to the tradition of afternoon tea. Today, tea is enjoyed worldwide for its various flavors and health benefits.