Definition

A small spoon used for measuring or serving food, especially in cooking and for drinks like tea and coffee.

Example

She added a teaspoon of sugar to her tea.

Conversation

Can you pass me that teaspoon over there?

Sure! Do you need it for your tea?

No, I'm actually measuring out some sugar for the cake.

Got it! A teaspoon of sugar makes it sweet, right?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Teaspoon is formed from "tea" (from the Chinese word "t'e" or "cha", meaning a beverage made from the leaves of the tea plant) and "spoon" (from Old English "spōn", meaning a utensil for eating or serving). The word "teaspoon" refers to a small spoon specifically used for stirring or measuring tea.

Memory Tip

Think of a small utensil ('spoon') used for a specific beverage ('tea') — that's how a teaspoon is defined.

Visually Confused Words