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tea
[tee]
noun
the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.
the shrub itself, extensively cultivated in China, Japan, India, etc., and having fragrant white flowers.
the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.
any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.
any of various infusions prepared from the leaves, flowers, etc., of other plants, and used as beverages or medicines.
British.any meal, whether a light snack or one consisting of several courses, eaten in the late afternoon or in the evening; any meal other than dinner, eaten after the middle of the afternoon.
an afternoon reception at which tea is served.
Slang.marijuana.
Slang.interesting or confidential information; gossip; news.
I hear you were talking to Sandy yesterday—what’s the tea?
tea
/ پː /
noun
an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
such a beverage, served hot or iced
( as modifier )
tea caddy
tea urn
any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
any such beverage
Also called: afternoon tea.a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
( as modifier )
a tea party
Also called: high tea.afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish
the main evening meal
old-fashionedmarijuana
informala caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble
Other Word Forms
- tealess adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of tea1
Word History and Origins
Origin of tea1
Idioms and Phrases
spill the tea, to reveal interesting or confidential information; share gossip.
In this exclusive clip, the famous actor spills the tea on who gets offered the best roles first.
one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one.
Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.
Example Sentences
Cummins' side appeared to be in the driving seat, only for South Africa's bowling attack to blow the match wide open as they ran through Australia's top order during a frenzied period after tea.
Lin says, holding a bottle of green tea essential oil under my nose.
There's a café called The Front Room, with free tea, coffee and biscuits sponsored by a local company and breakfast clubs for hungry children in the school holidays.
Song, 36, is sipping tea at a sunny corner table in the restaurant of a West Hollywood hotel along alongside the film’s star, Dakota Johnson.
For months, she consumed only herbal tea, black coffee and rehydration salts.
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When To Use
There are, of course, many types of tea: green tea, bubble (boba) tea, the redundantly named chai tea, the tea tree and its oil, the Boston Tea Party, the teacup poodle, the Long Island iced tea, to name just a few.But in slang, tea means "gossip," a juicy scoop, or other personal information. (It’s best served piping hot.)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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