Tea: meaning, definitions and examples

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tea

[tiː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

drink

A hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water.

Synonyms

beverage, brew, infusion.

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. Would you like some tea with breakfast? I prefer green tea over black tea.
beverage	A general term for any kind of drink. Appropriate in formal contexts or when discussing drinks in a broad sense. The menu offers a variety of beverages. It's important to stay hydrated, so always have a beverage nearby.
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. The herbal infusion has many health benefits. Try this lemon and ginger infusion for a refreshing drink.
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. Let's brew some tea before starting the meeting. I love the aroma of a fresh brew in the morning.

Examples of usage

Would you like a cup of tea?
I prefer green tea over black tea.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

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.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

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. Would you like some tea? I drink tea every morning.
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. We had high tea at the local inn, with cold cuts and pastries. High tea usually includes more savory dishes.
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. We are having afternoon tea with some friends. Afternoon tea includes a variety of delicious sweets.
cream tea	A specific type of afternoon tea that includes scones, clotted cream, and jam, predominantly popular in the South West of England. They served a delicious cream tea while we were visiting Devon. I would love to have a cream tea this afternoon.

Examples of usage

Would you like to join me for tea?
She hosts a lovely tea party.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word has roots in Chinese, where 'cha' refers to the drink made from leaves.
In different parts of the world, the word for tea reflects regional usage; for example, 'chai' in India and 'te' in Spanish-speaking countries.
The Dutch traders were responsible for introducing the word 'tea' to Europe in the 1600s.

Cultural Significance

In British culture, 'afternoon tea' is a tradition that includes light snacks served with tea.
Japanese tea ceremonies are highly ritualized events that emphasize harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
In China, tea is not just a beverage, but a symbol of hospitality and is often offered to guests to show respect.

Health Benefits

Some teas, like green tea, are renowned for their antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of some diseases.
Herbal teas, although not made from traditional tea leaves, can provide various health benefits such as relaxation and improved digestion.
Studies suggest that drinking tea regularly is associated with lower levels of stress.

Science of Tea

The primary chemical compounds in tea that influence flavor and health are catechins in green tea and theaflavins in black tea.
Tea leaves contain caffeine, which can provide an energy boost and improve focus.
Temperature affects the extraction of flavor compounds: lower temperatures for green tea, higher for black tea.

Art and Literature

Tea is a frequent subject in art, symbolizing calm and contemplation in various paintings.
In literature, tea often represents social interaction, such as in Jane Austen's novels where characters gather over tea.
The poem 'The Tea-Drinker's Song' celebrates the joys and virtues of sipping tea.

Translations

Translations of the word "tea" in other languages:

🇵🇹 chá

🇮🇳 चाय

🇩🇪 Tee

🇮🇩 teh

🇺🇦 чай

🇵🇱 herbata

🇯🇵 お茶

🇫🇷 thé

🇪🇸 té

🇹🇷 çay

🇰🇷 차

🇸🇦 شاي

🇨🇿 čaj

🇸🇰 čaj

🇨🇳 茶

🇸🇮 čaj

🇮🇸 te

🇰🇿 шай

🇬🇪 ჩაი

🇦🇿 çay

🇲🇽 té

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,935, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

...
2932 sole
2933 newly
2934 surely
2935 tea
2936 favorable
2937 correlation
2938 deliver
...