What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tup
Example
The ram tups the ewe during breeding season. [tup: verb]
Example
He gave the door a hard tup with his shoulder. [tup: noun]
Example
The tree branch made a loud tup when it fell on the ground. [tup: noun]
tap
Example
She tapped her pencil on the desk while thinking. [tap: verb]
Example
He turned on the tap to fill up the glass with water. [tap: noun]
Example
The raindrops tapped against the windowpane. [tap: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tap is a more common word than tup in everyday language. Tap has a wider range of uses and is more versatile than tup, which is a more specialized term.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tup and tap?
Tap is generally considered a more formal word than tup. While tap can be used in both formal and informal contexts, tup is more likely to be used in technical or specialized fields such as agriculture or animal husbandry.
