sip

1 of 2

verb

sipped; sipping; sips

intransitive verb

: to take a sip of something especially repeatedly
And, sipping on the beer, he remembered romantic days of yore …John Nichols
I boil some tea with the salty hut water and sit outside sipping away for a while watching a blanket of stars unfold …Clarissa Hirst

transitive verb

1
: to drink (something) in small quantities
On crowded, bustling Broadway there is a spot where one may sip espresso …The New York Times
Northern bats are more likely to eat insects than to sip nectar …Ann Lovejoy
2
: to take sips from (something)
sip complimentary glasses of Champagne.Harvey Steiman
sipper noun

sip

2 of 2

noun

plural sips
1
: a small amount of liquid taken into the mouth with the lips
Jimmy wriggled himself into a more comfortable position, and took a sip from his glass.P. G. Wodehouse
It's enormously complex, revealing new facets with every sip.Wine Enthusiast Magazine
2
: the act of sipping
Jews traditionally begin their weekly Sabbath meal with a sip of wine and a Hebrew prayer …Jeff Morgan

Examples of sip in a Sentence

Verb She sipped her coffee while she watched the sun rise. He sipped on the bottle of water. Noun there are a few sips left in the glass
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Kim Kardashian has expressed her love of Guinness in the past, but didn’t seem to sip on any of the Irish stout this year. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 Afterward, many gathered outside, sipping tea and catching up. Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The day after the Grammys, Fletcher sits at a booth in a cafe behind the Hollywood Hills sipping a peppermint tea, manifesting a nomination for herself in the future, and reflecting on some of the most vulnerable times in her life. Waiss Aramesh, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024 In the dry months, families hike miles under the beating sun, hopeful their livestock can sip from a small plastic container, fed by a hose running high into the distant mountains. Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Spend the day at a tasting room sipping all varieties of port wines, and check out the Museu Romântico because this trip is a celebration of love, after all! Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 In a hotel ballroom in Palm Desert, a few hundred Garvey supporters sipped margaritas and ate appetizers. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The Pier Village downtown is great for spending an afternoon shopping, strolling, and sipping. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 Dancing on sugar-sand beaches until the wee hours of the morning, sipping fresh coconuts on hammocks in palm tree groves, and vibing to that earthy, boho aesthetic are now integral to the Tulum experience. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
This hard spout cup comes with flow control valves that will ensure the right amount of liquid comes out each time your child takes a sip. Lauren Wellbank, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 Omar took another sip of water, then held it out to the rest of us. Jared Lemus, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2024 Cardi continued her video by poured her lemon mixture into the open egg and took a sip of the broth, before immediately gagging. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 On the cocktail front, the Bar Collins beverage team is mixing up specialty sips each paired with a specialty bite. Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The lavender foam perfectly balances the matcha flavor, so every sip is a creamy, floral experience. Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 It’s got a light tart note, and a sharp crispness so that each sip begs you to take another swig. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 21 Feb. 2024 Rich notes of cassis, mission fig, and earthen clay greet you on the nose, while a sip reveals great acidity and driving length. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 After his speech, Jay-Z poured a drink into his Grammy trophy and took a sip from it. TIME, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sippen; akin to Low German sippen to sip

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of sip was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sip

Cite this Entry

“Sip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sip. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sip

1 of 2 verb
sipped; sipping
1
: to drink in small quantities or little by little
2
: to take sips from : taste
sipper noun

sip

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act of sipping
2
: a small amount taken by sipping

More from Merriam-Webster on sip

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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