Jul 7, 2025 cup ˈkəp 1 syllable common ‹ noun. an open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel a fruit cup noun. a drinking vessel and its contents noun. the consecrated wine of the Communion verb. to treat by cupping cupped his hands around his mouth verb. to curve into the shape of a cup verb. to place in or as if in a cup › Origin Middle English cuppe, from Old English, from Late Latin cuppa cup, alteration of Latin cupa tub.