cups

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Plural of cup: a small container with a handle, used for drinking.

   Grammar: The singular is 'cup'; use 'cups' when talking about more than one.

   Patterns

   • a cup of something
   • two cups of coffee

   She washed the cups and saucers after tea.

   We need more cups for the party.

   He drank two cups of coffee before work.

2. 2nounplural

   Plural of cup: a unit of measurement used in cooking, equal to 8 fluid ounces (about 240 milliliters).

   Grammar: Often used in recipes: 'two cups of flour'.

   Patterns

   • cups of flour
   • cups of sugar

   The recipe calls for two cups of flour.

   Add three cups of milk to the mixture.

   She measured out four cups of sugar.

3. 3nounplural

   Plural of cup: a trophy shaped like a cup with two handles, given as a prize in sports competitions.

   Grammar: Often used in names of competitions: 'the World Cups'.

   Patterns

   • win the cups
   • the cups are awarded

   The team has won three cups in five years.

   The cups were displayed in the club's trophy room.

   They compete for various cups throughout the season.

4. 4nounplural

   Plural of cup: a protective shell worn by athletes to guard the genitals during sports.

   Grammar: Usually used in the singular 'cup' in this sense, but plural refers to more than one.

   Patterns

   • wear cups
   • protective cups

   All players must wear cups during the game.

   He forgot his cup and had to borrow one.

   The coach reminded them to bring their cups.

5. 5nounpluraltechnical

   Plural of cup: a hollow shape or part that resembles a cup, such as a cup-shaped socket.

   Grammar: Used in technical contexts, e.g., 'the cups of the hip joint'.

   Patterns

   • the cups of a joint
   • cup-shaped

   The surgeon examined the cups of the hip joint.

   These cups fit into the sockets.

   The machine has several cups that hold the parts.

Word forms

Common combinations

a cup of tea

She made herself a cup of tea.

cups and saucers

The cups and saucers were neatly stacked.

measuring cups

Use measuring cups for accurate baking.

win a cup

They hope to win the cup this year.

paper cups

We bought paper cups for the picnic.

Synonyms and how they differ

mug

A mug is a large, heavy cup, often used for hot drinks like coffee or tea.

glass

A glass is a container made of glass, usually without a handle, for cold drinks.

trophy

A trophy is a prize, often shaped like a cup or figure, awarded to the winner.

Word family

cupful noun

The amount that a cup can hold.

cupped adjective

Shaped like a cup; or held in cupped hands.

Commonly confused: cups or cop? cups or cap?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “cups”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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