Cool MateDrink vs Sip
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Drink
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Sip
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Drink
| Drink | Sip | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/drɪŋk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/drɪŋk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //sɪp//🇺🇸 //sɪp// |
| Meaning | A liquid that you can swallow. | To drink a small amount of liquid. |
| Example | I would like a drink of water, please. | She took a small sip of her coffee. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | cold, cool, iced, round, consume, drink, have, drinks party, drinks cabinet, problem, in a/the drink, drink of, food and drink, food and drinks, cold, cool, iced, round, consume, drink, have, drinks party, drinks cabinet, problem, in a/the drink, drink of, food and drink, food and drinks | sip slowly, sip from a cup, sip of water |
| Antonyms | fast, abstain | gulp, chug |
| Common mistakes | Using 'drinks' incorrectly for non-drinkable items., Confusing 'drank' (past) and 'drinked' (incorrect)., Using 'drunk' as a verb instead of 'drank'. | Confusing with 'gulp', which means to drink quickly., Using 'sip’ in a context where it's inappropriate, like chugging a drink. |
| Usage notes | Use 'drink' when referring to consuming beverages. It's appropriate in most contexts, casual or formal. However, avoid using it in overly formal writing. | Use 'sip' in casual and formal contexts when referring to drinking slowly. Avoid in contexts where drinking quickly is implied. |
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Frequently asked questions: Drink vs Sip
What's the difference between Drink and Sip?
Drink: A liquid that you can swallow. Sip: To drink a small amount of liquid.
Which is more common: Drink and Sip?
Drink is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Drink: I would like a drink of water, please. Sip: She took a small sip of her coffee.
Can I use Drink and Sip interchangeably?
Not always. Drink and Sip are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.