Sip vs. Sup — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 31, 2024
Sip involves drinking in small mouthfuls, while sup traditionally means to eat the evening meal or to drink in swallows.
Difference Between Sip and Sup
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sipping is a manner of drinking that involves taking in liquid slowly, usually in small quantities, as one might enjoy a hot beverage or taste wine. On the other hand, supping can refer to consuming liquid in larger gulps or swallows, though it is more archaically known as eating, especially the evening meal.
While sipping is often associated with leisure, appreciation, and tasting, allowing the drinker to savor the flavor and aroma of the beverage, supping is associated with the act of eating or drinking more generally, without the implication of leisure or tasting. Supping, in its traditional sense of eating, emphasizes the meal aspect, especially dinner.
The contexts in which "sip" and "sup" are used also differ; "sip" is commonly used in contemporary language to describe the act of drinking slowly, making it relevant in a wide range of social and solitary drinking scenarios. "Sup," however, is less commonly used in modern contexts to describe drinking and is more often encountered in historical or literary texts when referring to dining.
"Sip" can also imply a certain level of etiquette or delicacy, often used in situations requiring manners or when consuming hot or delicate drinks. In contrast, "sup" carries a more robust, traditional connotation, suggesting a communal or hearty consumption, especially when it refers to eating meals.
Sip is a versatile term used across various beverages, from tea and coffee to fine spirits and cocktails, highlighting its role in the enjoyment and appreciation of drinks. "Sup," however, when used in the sense of drinking, might not carry the same connotation of enjoyment or leisure, focusing instead on the act of consumption itself.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To drink in small mouthfuls
To eat the evening meal or to drink
Connotation
Leisure, tasting, enjoyment
Eating, drinking, more archaic
Usage Context
Social and solitary drinking scenarios
Historical/literary texts, traditional meals
Implication
Etiquette, delicacy, appreciation
Communal eating, robust consumption
Versatility
Used across a wide range of beverages
Less commonly used in modern language
Compare with Definitions
Sip
Associated with tasting and enjoying beverages.
At the wine tasting, we were instructed to sip slowly.
Sup
Traditionally means to eat the evening meal.
They supped together at dusk, enjoying a hearty meal.
Sip
Drinking slowly, usually in small amounts.
She took a sip of her tea to savor its flavor.
Sup
Can imply a more robust, hearty consumption or gathering.
The family supped joyously, celebrating their reunion.
Sip
Can denote taking in small amounts of information or experiences.
She sipped at the knowledge offered in the lecture.
Sup
Can also mean to drink, especially in larger gulps.
He supped water from the stream after the long hike.
Sip
Implies a certain level of sophistication or delicacy.
He sipped his coffee, enjoying the quiet morning.
Sup
Less commonly used in modern vernacular.
The term sup is more often found in literature than in everyday language.
Sip
Common in social settings to prolong enjoyment.
They sipped their drinks while discussing the book.
Sup
When used for drinking, it lacks the connotation of leisure found with "sip."
They supped quickly before returning to work.
Sip
To drink in small quantities.
Sup
To eat or drink (something) or engage in eating or drinking by taking small swallows or mouthfuls
Supped the hot soup.
Supped away daintily.
Sip
To drink from in sips.
Sup
To eat an evening meal; have supper.
Sip
To drink something in sips.
Sup
A small swallow or mouthful of liquid food; a sip.
Sip
The act of sipping.
Sup
Used as an informal greeting.
Sip
A small quantity of liquid sipped.
Sup
To sip; to take a small amount of food or drink into the mouth, especially with a spoon.
Sip
A small mouthful of drink
Sup
To take supper.
Sip
(transitive) To drink slowly, small mouthfuls at a time.
Sup
A sip; a small amount of food or drink.
Sip
(intransitive) To drink a small quantity.
Sup
(informal) Superintendent.
Sip
To taste the liquor of; to drink out of.
Sup
(mathematics) Supremum, upper limit.
Sip
Alternative form of seep
Sup
Supplement.
Sip
(figurative) To consume slowly.
Sup
(Cambridge University slang) A supervision.
Sip
To drink or imbibe in small quantities; especially, to take in with the lips in small quantities, as a liquid; as, to sip tea.
Sup
(slang) what's up (either as a greeting or actual question)
— Sup?
— Not much.
— Not much.
Sip
To draw into the mouth; to suck up; as, a bee sips nectar from the flowers.
Sup
(physics) Being or relating to the squark that is the superpartner of an up quark.
Sip
To taste the liquor of; to drink out of.
They skim the floods, and sip the purple flowers.
Sup
To take into the mouth with the lips, as a liquid; to take or drink by a little at a time; to sip.
There I'll supBalm and nectar in my cup.
Sip
To drink a small quantity; to take a fluid with the lips; to take a sip or sips of something.
[She] raised it to her mouth with sober grace;Then, sipping, offered to the next in place.
Sup
To eat the evening meal; to take supper.
I do entreat that we may sup together.
Sip
The act of sipping; the taking of a liquid with the lips.
Sup
To treat with supper.
Sup them well and look unto them all.
Sip
A small draught taken with the lips; a slight taste.
One sip of thisWill bathe the drooping spirits in delightBeyond the bliss of dreams.
A sip is all that the public ever care to take from reservoirs of abstract philosophy.
Sup
A small mouthful, as of liquor or broth; a little taken with the lips; a sip.
Tom Thumb had got a little sup.
Sip
A small drink
Sup
A small amount of liquid food;
A sup of ale
Sip
Drink in sips;
She was sipping her tea
Sup
Take solid or liquid food into the mouth a little at a time either by drinking or by eating with a spoon
Common Curiosities
Is sipping associated with a particular type of beverage?
Sipping is associated with a wide range of beverages, particularly those meant to be savored, like tea, coffee, or fine spirits.
What does it mean to sip a drink?
Sipping a drink means to consume it in small, slow mouthfuls, often to savor its taste.
Can "sip" imply more than just drinking?
Yes, "sip" can metaphorically imply taking in something slowly or in small amounts, like information or experiences.
How does the usage of sip and sup reflect cultural differences?
"Sip" reflects a culture of leisure and appreciation, while "sup," especially in its traditional sense, reflects communal and hearty meal practices.
Can "sup" still refer to drinking today?
Yes, though less common, "sup" can refer to drinking, especially in literary or historical contexts.
How do sip and sup differ in connotation?
"Sip" connotes leisure, tasting, and enjoyment, while "sup" is more about consumption, often in a communal or hearty sense.
What is the definition of sup?
Sup traditionally means to eat the evening meal or to drink, particularly in larger swallows or gulps.
What types of meals does "sup" refer to?
Traditionally, "sup" referred to the evening meal, but it can broadly mean any substantial meal.
Does the act of sipping require special tools or utensils?
While not required, sipping can be enhanced by using appropriate utensils, like fine teacups or wine glasses, to improve the experience.
Is there a social aspect to supping?
Yes, especially in its traditional sense of eating meals, supping has a communal and social aspect, emphasizing gathering and sharing.
Why would one choose to sip a beverage?
One might choose to sip a beverage to appreciate its flavor and aroma, especially if it's hot or of high quality.
Is sup used in modern English?
"Sup" is less commonly used in modern English, with its usage more prevalent in historical or literary texts.
How do the contexts of sip and sup influence their usage?
The context of "sip" is often leisurely and refined, while "sup" is traditional and communal, influencing their respective usages.
How has the usage of sup evolved over time?
The usage of "sup" has evolved from a common term for eating or drinking to a more archaic or literary expression, reflecting changes in language and meal customs.
Are there health benefits to sipping beverages?
Sipping hot beverages slowly can aid in digestion and relaxation, and allows one to enjoy the drink without overconsumption.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
