teaspoon
gb/tˈispˌun/ us/tˈispˌun/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
a small spoon for tea
A small spoon you use for tea or small amounts of food.
Usage pattern:
a teaspoon; a teaspoon for [drink/food]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse teaspoon (small) with tablespoon (larger).
Synonyms
small spoon (General description, not a specific standard size.)
Antonyms
tablespoon (A larger spoon (and usually a larger measure).)
Collocations
a teaspoon and saucer
|a set of teaspoons
|a silver teaspoon
|a teaspoon of yogurt
|stir with a teaspoon
|a teaspoon clinked
|a teaspoon in the sugar bowl
|dessert spoon or teaspoon
|a clean teaspoon
|a teaspoon in the cup
Themes
food_and_drink
|daily_life
|home
Examples
- She stirred her tea with a teaspoon and set it on the saucer.
- Could I have a teaspoon for the yogurt, please?
- He put the teaspoons back in the drawer after washing them.
Learner examples
- I need a teaspoon for my tea.
- This teaspoon is small.
Noun
B1
quantity
2
a cooking measure of 5 ml
A small measurement used in cooking, about 5 ml.
Usage pattern:
[number] teaspoon(s) of [ingredient]; 1 tsp of [ingredient]
Common mistake:
In recipes, tsp means teaspoon (not tablespoon). A teaspoon is about 5 ml, but exact size can vary slightly by country.
Synonyms
tsp (Common abbreviation in recipes and instructions.)
Antonyms
tablespoon (A larger volume measure (about three teaspoons).)
Collocations
a teaspoon of sugar
|a teaspoon of salt
|a teaspoon of vanilla
|a teaspoon of baking powder
|a teaspoon of cinnamon
|one teaspoon
|half a teaspoon
|two teaspoons
|a level teaspoon
|a heaped teaspoon
Themes
food_and_drink
|cooking
|measurement
|health
Examples
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.
- The label says to take two teaspoons of the syrup every six hours.
- Use half a teaspoon of salt, then taste and adjust.
Learner examples
- Add one teaspoon of sugar.
- Take two teaspoons of medicine.
Grammar
Dictionary form
teaspoon
IPA
GB/tˈispˌun/
US/tˈispˌun/
Syllables & stress
tea - spoon (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tea)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: teaspoon
- Plural: teaspoons
Expressions
heaped teaspoon
1/hˈipt tˈispˌun/
fixed phrase
teaspoon measured piled up
A teaspoon with extra on top, like a small pile.
Examples
- Add a heaped teaspoon of chili flakes if you like it spicy.
- The recipe uses heaped teaspoons for the spices to boost the flavor.
- He measured a heaped teaspoon of coffee into the filter.
level teaspoon
1/lˈɛvəl tˈispˌun/
fixed phrase
teaspoon measured flat
A teaspoon with the top made flat.
Examples
- Use a level teaspoon of baking powder for best results.
- The instructions specify a level teaspoon, not a heaped one.
- She leveled the spoon with a knife before adding it to the bowl.
tsp. / tsp
1/tsp ‖ tsp/
fixed phrase
recipe abbreviation for teaspoon
tsp means teaspoon in recipes.
Examples
- The recipe calls for 1 tsp salt and 2 tsp sugar.
- Add ½ tsp ground cumin and stir.
- I wrote “tsp” on the shopping list so I wouldn’t forget the measuring spoon size.