sip

1 of 2

verb

ˈsip 

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

Synonyms of sip

Verb

• drink
• gulp

Noun

• drink
• gulp
• swallow

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

Even for the die-hard coffee drinker, sipping on a delicious cup of tea now and again can provide health benefits, promote relaxation and help lower stress. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Post-massage, guests sit in the gardens and sip herbal tea to fully absorb the experience and allow their systems to adjust. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026

Noun

Right now, though, ripe, honey-tart peaches with soft goat cheese would be awfully good with the last sips of a Chenin Blanc. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Pink pineapple flavors mixed with lemonade, and layered with dragonfruit pieces for a bright, juicy sip. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 July 2026

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

Rhymes for sip

• blip
• chip
• clip
• dip
• drip
• flip
• grip
• grippe
• hip
• ip
• kip
• lip

Kids Definition

sip

1 of 2 verb

ˈsip 

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