Definition

1. Noun:
   • A beverage made by infusing dried leaves of the tea plant in hot water: A common hot or cold drink consumed worldwide.
   • The dried and processed leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) used to make this beverage: The raw material itself.
   • A light meal, especially in the afternoon, at which tea is served: A social occasion or a meal featuring tea and light food like sandwiches or cakes.
   • The evergreen shrub (Camellia sinensis) whose leaves are used to make the beverage: The plant itself.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Beverage):
  • Would you like a cup of tea?
  • She prefers herbal tea to coffee.
• Noun (Leaves):
  • This tea comes from a small garden in Darjeeling.
  • He bought a packet of green tea.
• Noun (Meal/Occasion):
  • We were invited to afternoon tea at the hotel.
  • She hosted a tea for the new neighbors.

Advanced Usage

• "Not my cup of tea": An idiom meaning something is not to one's liking or preference.
  • Classical music is not my cup of tea; I prefer jazz.
• "Spill the tea": A modern slang idiom meaning to share gossip or reveal secrets.
  • Come on, spill the tea! What really happened at the party?

Variants and Related Words

• Tea bag (n): A small, porous bag containing tea leaves for infusion.
  • He dunked the tea bag in the hot water.
• Tea party (n): A social gathering where tea and light refreshments are served.
  • The children had a tea party with their stuffed animals.
• Teatime (n): The time in the afternoon when tea is traditionally served.
  • It's nearly teatime; shall I put the kettle on?

Synonyms

• Infusion: A drink made by soaking leaves, herbs, or flowers in liquid (a more general term).
• Brew: A beverage made by steeping (can refer to tea or coffee).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tea off: This is not a standard phrasal verb with "tea." The common phrase is "tee off," which originates from golf.

Related Idioms

• A storm in a teacup: A lot of unnecessary anger or worry about a trivial matter.
  • Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.

Noun

1. dried leaves of the tea shrub; used to make tea
   • the store shelves held many different kinds of tea
   • they threw the tea into Boston harbor
2. a reception or party at which tea is served
   • we met at the Dean's tea for newcomers
3. a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree extensively cultivated in e.g. China and Japan and India; source of tea leaves
   • tea has fragrant white flowers
4. a light midafternoon meal of tea and sandwiches or cakes
   • an Englishman would interrupt a war to have his afternoon tea
5. a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
   • iced tea is a cooling drink