Tea is a drink made by adding hot water to tea leaves or tea bags. Many people add milk to the drink and some add sugar.
...a cup of tea.
Would you like some tea?
Four or five men were drinking tea from flasks.
A cup of tea can be referred to as a tea.
Would anybody like a tea or coffee?
2. mass noun [usually noun NOUN]
Drinks such as mint tea or chamomile tea are made by pouring hot water on the dried leaves of the particular plant or flower.
3. variable noun
The chopped dried leaves of the plant that tea is made from is referred to as tea.
...a packet of tea.
America imports about 190 million pounds of tea a year.
Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Jasmine are best-selling traditional teas.
4. variable noun
Tea is a meal some people eat in the late afternoon. It consists of food such as sandwiches and cakes, with tea to drink.
[British]
I'm doing the sandwiches for tea.
I took her to tea at the Ritz.
5. See also afternoon tea, high tea, meal
6. variable noun
Some people refer to the main meal that they eat in the early part of the evening as tea.
[British]
At five o'clock he comes back for his tea.
7.
See sb's cup of tea
tea in British English
(tiː)
noun
1.
an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
2.
a.
the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
b.
such a beverage, served hot or iced
c.
(as modifier)
tea caddy
tea urn
3.
a.
any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
b.
any such beverage
4. mainly British
a. Also called: afternoon tea
a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
b.
(as modifier)
a tea party
c. Also called: high tea
afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish
5. British, Australian and New Zealand
the main evening meal
6. US and Canadian old-fashioned, slang
marijuana
7. slang, mainly US
scandalous information; gossip (esp in the phrase spill the tea)
8. tea and sympathy
Word origin
C17: from Chinese (Amoy) t'e, from Ancient Chinese d'a
tea in American English
(ti)
noun
1.
a white-flowered, evergreen plant (Camellia sinensis) of the tea family, grown in China, India, Japan, etc.
2.
its dried and prepared leaves, used to make a beverage
3.
the beverage made by soaking such leaves in boiling water
4.
any of several plants resembling or used as tea
5.
a tealike beverage made from such a plant or from a meat extract
mint tea, beef tea
6. British
a.
a light meal, esp. in the late afternoon, at which tea is the usual beverage
b.
a more substantial, early evening meal that is often the main meal of the day (in Britain usually called high tea)
7.
a reception or other social gathering in the afternoon, at which tea, coffee, etc. are served
8. US, Slang
marijuana
adjective
9.
designating a family (Theaceae, order Theales) of evergreen dicotyledonous trees, shrubs, orvines, often with showy flowers, found in warm regions and including the camellias and loblolly bay
Word origin
Amoy Chin t'e (Mandarin ch'a)
tea in Hospitality
(ti)
Word forms: (regular plural) teas
noun (count) (noncount)
(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel bar)
Tea is a drink made by adding boiling water to tea leaves or tea bags.
COLLOCATIONS: cup of ~~ bag~ leaves
He handed them each a cup of tea.
Would you like some tea or coffee?
Pour me a cup of tea, please.
More idioms containing
tea
something is not your cup of tea
someone would not do something for all the tea in China
What if you want to make a cup of tea or go to the loo?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One day he was invited back for tea.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He tells me they do a fantastic afternoon tea.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Young entrepreneurs mingle, picking up free tea and coffee from a circular bar.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you ask us both who makes the tea, it would be him.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was coffee, tea and snacks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Boots Clean eating or cream teas?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You are coming back to tea with us.
Charlotte M. Yonge The Daisy Chain (1837)
Voucher must be handed in to redeem your free regular tea or coffee.
The Sun (2009)
Why do you like tea more than coffee?
Christianity Today (2000)
Today they tackle how to make the perfect cup of tea.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Handy if her neighbours need tea lights.
The Sun (2016)
One of us will go downstairs to sort out the dog and make some tea.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We provide fruit and kitchen space for people to make tea and coffee and keep milk.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Then head to the tea rooms for hot drinks and festive treats.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What time is too early for tea and homemade cakes?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Take the tea out and add some lemon juice before cooling it in the fridge.
The Sun (2011)
Afternoon tea on the terrace is also a treat.
The Sun (2011)
Will a chicken eat a used tea bag?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Sugar in tea and coffee also needs to go.
The Sun (2010)
The force of this movement makes the inquisition seem like a tea party.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
At its feet tea lights twinkle in tiny bird cages.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The sort of cabinet where normal people keep their tea service and silverware.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The prospect of a hot cup of tea anywhere with a radiator was just too tempting.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But she continued to visit and he would cook meals and make tea.
The Sun (2009)
In the desert they drink piping hot tea to cool down but we prefer cold drinks when the sun is out.
The Sun (2011)
The 18th-century potter was much more than a maker of tea cups.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We get all the fluids we need from our normal diet and other drinks, including tea.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To make the tea and salt crust, mix the salt and tea leaves in a large bowl.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Quotations
Tea to the English is really a picnic indoorsAlice WalkerThe Color Purple
Look here, Steward, if this is coffee, I want tea; but if this is tea, then I wish for coffeePunch
Word lists with
tea
Soft drinks, shrub
In other languages
tea
British English: tea /tiː/ NOUN
drinkTea is a drink. You make it by pouring hot water on to the dry leaves of a plant called the tea bush.
American English: tea
Arabic: شَاي
Brazilian Portuguese: chá
Chinese: 茶
Croatian: čaj
Czech: čaj
Danish: te
Dutch: thee
European Spanish: té
Finnish: tee
French: thé
German: Tee
Greek: τσάι
Italian: tè
Japanese: お茶
Korean: 차 음료수
Norwegian: te
Polish: herbata
European Portuguese: chá
Romanian: ceai
Russian: чай
Latin American Spanish: té
Swedish: te
Thai: น้ำชา
Turkish: çay
Ukrainian: чай
Vietnamese: chè trà
British English: tea /tiː/ NOUN
mealTea is a meal that you eat in the afternoon or the early evening.
American English: tea
Arabic: شَاي
Brazilian Portuguese: chá
Chinese: 下午茶
Croatian: užina
Czech: svačinaodpolední
Danish: middagsmad
Dutch: avondeten
European Spanish: merienda
Finnish: tee
French: goûterheure du thé
German: Tee
Greek: κολατσιό
Italian: tè
Japanese: 夕食
Korean: 저녁식사
Norwegian: te
Polish: herbatka
European Portuguese: chá
Romanian: masă în cursul după-amiezii, la care se servește ceai
Russian: полдник
Latin American Spanish: oncesmerienda de la tarde
Swedish: te
Thai: ชา
Turkish: çay
Ukrainian: полуденок
Vietnamese: bữa ăn nhẹ
All related terms of 'tea'
bed tea
(in some Asian countries) tea served to a guest in bed in the morning
ice tea
Ice tea or iced tea is a drink made from tea without milk but with sugar and sometimes fruit flavourings , drunk cold .
tea bag
Tea bags are small paper bags with tea leaves in them. You put them into hot water to make tea.
tea boy
a boy who makes tea for the workers in a place such as an office
tea egg
a device with perforations used to infuse tea in a cup of boiling water
tea set
A tea set is a set of cups , saucers , and plates, with a milk jug , sugar bowl , and teapot .
tea urn
a large vessel, usually of metal, with a tap , used for making and holding tea
beef tea
a drink made by boiling pieces of lean beef : often given to invalids to stimulate the appetite
black tea
tea withered and fermented before being dried by heating
bush tea
a leguminous shrub of the genus Cyclopia , of southern Africa
China tea
China tea is tea made from large dark-green or reddish-brown tea leaves. It is usually drunk without milk or sugar .
cream tea
In Britain , a cream tea is an afternoon meal that consists of tea to drink and small cakes called scones that are eaten with jam and cream. Cream teas are served in places such as tea shops .
drink tea
Tea is a drink made by adding hot water to tea leaves or tea bags . Many people add milk to the drink and some add sugar .
green tea
Green tea is a pale type of tea grown mainly in Japan and China , and usually drunk without milk .
herb tea
dried herbs intended to be made into a drink
high tea
In Britain , some people have a meal called high tea in the late afternoon instead of having dinner or supper later in the evening .
iced tea
chilled black tea , often sweetened and flavoured with lemon juice
leaf tea
tea sold in the form of leaves, rather than in tea bags
lemon tea
a hot drink that contains lemon juice or tastes of lemon
mint tea
a drink made by infusing mint leaves in boiling water
pink tea
any frivolous social gathering , esp. one attended largely by women
tea ball
a perforated metal ball filled with tea leaves and put in boiling water to make tea
tea break
If you have a tea break , you stop working and have a cup of tea or coffee.
tea caddy
A tea caddy is a small tin in which you keep tea.
tea cart
a small table on wheels for holding a tea service, extra dishes at a dinner , etc.; serving cart
tea chest
A tea chest is a large wooden box in which tea is packed when it is exported. People also use tea chests for putting things in when they move from one house to another.
tea cloth
A tea cloth is the same as a → tea towel .
tea cosy
A tea cosy is a soft knitted or fabric cover which you put over a teapot in order to keep the tea hot.
tea cozy
A tea cozy is a soft knitted or fabric cover which you put over a teapot in order to keep the tea hot .
tea dance
A tea dance is a social event that takes place in the afternoon, where people meet to dance and have tea. Tea dances are especially popular with older people.
tea gown
(formerly) a long loose decorative dress worn esp when entertaining guests to afternoon tea
tea lady
a woman employed in a factory , office , etc to make tea during a tea break
tea leaf
Tea leaves are the small pieces of dried leaves that you use to make tea.
tea-maker
a device with perforations used to infuse tea in a cup of boiling water
tea party
A tea party is a social gathering in the afternoon at which tea, cakes , and sandwiches are served.
tea-plant
an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
tea plate
a small plate sometimes placed to the side of a dinner plate, used for bread , cake , etc
tea room
A tea room is the same as a → tea shop .
tea rose
any of several varieties of hybrid rose that are derived from Rosa odorata and have pink or yellow flowers with a scent resembling that of tea
tea shop
A tea shop is a small restaurant where tea, coffee , cakes , sandwiches , and light meals are served .
tea table
You refer to a table as the tea table when it is being used for a meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening.
tea towel
A tea towel is a cloth used to dry dishes after they have been washed .
tea tray
a tea used to carry a tea service
tea tree
any of various myrtaceous trees of the genus Leptospermum, of Australia and New Zealand , that yield an oil used as an antiseptic
tea wagon
→ tea cart
bubble tea
Bubble tea is a sweet drink based on tea mixed with milk or fruit flavourings, with chewy balls made of tapioca or jelly floating in it.
cambric tea
a hot drink of milk , sugar , and water or, often, weak tea
Ceylon tea
a tea from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
herbal tea
dried herbs intended to be made into a drink
hybrid tea
any of a popular group of rose varieties having desirable characteristics, as fragrance , colors , etc.: created by crossing the tea rose with certain hybrid roses
Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors [Alice Walker – The Color Purple]Look here, Steward, if this is coffee, I want tea; but if this is tea, then I wish for coffee [Punch]