What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cups
Example
She sipped her tea from a delicate china cup. [cup: noun]
Example
The recipe calls for two cups of flour. [cup: unit of measurement]
Example
The team celebrated their victory by raising the championship cup. [cup: trophy]
beaker
Example
The scientist poured the solution into the beaker and stirred it with a glass rod. [beaker: noun]
Example
He poured himself a cold beer into a tall beaker. [beaker: drinking glass]
Example
The chemist measured the exact amount of liquid using a beaker. [beaker: measuring container]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cups are more commonly used in everyday language, especially in the context of drinking hot beverages. Beakers are more specialized and are mainly used in scientific and laboratory settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cups and beaker?
Beakers are more formal than cups, as they are primarily used in scientific and laboratory contexts. Cups can be used in both formal and informal settings, depending on the context.
