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to tipple

to tipple

1 8.4
To drink small amounts of alcohol, often regularly
  • verb
  • /ˈtɪpəl/
  • Archaic
: beber
  • Occasionally, he tipples a bit by himself.

Examples

  • Unskilled workers, the members of an itinerant bachelor subculture, frequented the "tippling houses" and grogshops that dotted the riverbanks.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Why is it Laurie may do as he likes and flirt and tipple champagne...

  • He never stayed long and did not frequent the tippling houses in St. Louis.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • He buys dinner and some tippling flasks and watches the end of a play.

    Blog text (24)
  • And I, who had been known to defensively tipple at family gatherings, got rip-roaring drunk and ended up in our tree house singing dirty songs with Pa at three in the morning.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • They commanded their appointed officials to "put the laws against tippling in execution" and to regulate taverns accordingly.

    Academic text (2010)
  • After work, she often enjoys a glass of wine to tipple while relaxing at home.

  • On weekends, they like to tipple together at their favorite pub.

  • He tends to tipple casually, preferring a few sips of beer with friends.

Synonyms

to drink
vsto tipple
∞ 2.8

To have alcohol often or at social events

emphasize taking small amounts regularly rather than social or group occasions
to bib
vsto tipple
  • Archaic
9.9

To drink small amounts of alcohol regularly

involve taking smaller amounts regularly rather than moderate ones

How Much

binge
53 5.6
to tipple
  • Archaic
1 8.4
to sip
127 1.0

Surface Forms

tipple infinitive
tippled past
tippled past participle
tippling present participle
tipples third person singular

Etymology

The word tipple as a verb probably grew from the idea of taking little 'tips' or quick sips from a glass. That's why to tipple means to drink alcohol in small amounts, often in a regular or gentle way.