Cup vs. Mug: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A cup is a small, typically handleless vessel for drinking, often used for tea or coffee, while a mug is a larger, cylindrical vessel with a handle, usually for hot beverages.
Key Differences
Cups are traditionally smaller in size and often used for serving tea or coffee. Mugs, on the other hand, are larger, more robust, and typically used for hot beverages like coffee or hot chocolate.
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Dec 03, 2023
Cups commonly come as part of a tea set and may have a saucer; they often lack a handle. Mugs are standalone with a single handle, designed for casual use and often holding more liquid than cups.
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Dec 03, 2023
Cups are usually more delicate and made of finer materials like porcelain or bone china. Mugs are typically made from sturdier materials like ceramic, stoneware, or glass.
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Dec 03, 2023
The design of a cup is often elegant and suited for formal occasions. Mugs have a more casual design, often featuring logos, patterns, or quirky messages, suitable for everyday use.
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Dec 03, 2023
Cups are commonly used in formal tea or coffee services, while mugs are a popular choice for casual, everyday beverage consumption due to their larger size and sturdy construction.
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Dec 03, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Material
Finer materials like porcelain or china
Sturdier materials like ceramic or stoneware
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Cup and Mug Definitions
Cup
A cup is a small vessel used for drinking beverages.
She sipped her tea from a delicate porcelain cup.
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Nov 26, 2023
Mug
Mugs are commonly used for hot beverages.
His favorite mug kept the tea warm for a long time.
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Nov 26, 2023
Cup
A cup is often a part of a matching set with a saucer.
He placed the cup back on its matching saucer.
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Nov 26, 2023
Mug
A mug is a large cylindrical cup with a handle.
She filled her mug with steaming hot coffee.
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Nov 26, 2023
Cup
Cups can be made of various materials like glass or china.
She collected antique cups made of fine bone china.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Mug
Mugs are typically made from stoneware or ceramic.
She preferred ceramic mugs for their durability.
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Cup
A small open container, usually with a flat bottom and a handle, used for drinking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
Abbr. c. A unit of capacity or volume equal to 16 tablespoons or 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters). See Table at measurement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
An athletic supporter having a protective reinforcement of rigid plastic or metal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A sweetened, flavored, usually chilled beverage, especially one made with wine
Claret cup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
To threaten or assault (a person) with the intent to rob
Arrested the thief who mugged the tourists.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
To make exaggerated facial expressions, especially for humorous effect
The partygoers mugged for the camera.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
A large cup for beverages, usually having a handle and used without a saucer.A mug
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
A gullible or easily-cheated person.
He's a gullible mug – he believed her again.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
To place one's curved hand or hands over or around
Cupped his chin in his hands.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A concave vessel for drinking from, usually made of opaque material (as opposed to a glass) and with a handle.
Pour the tea into the cup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
The contents of said vessel.
I drank two cups of water but still felt thirsty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(US) A US unit of liquid measure equal to 8 fluid ounces (16 of a US gallon; 236.5882365 mL) or 240 mL.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(Canada) A Canadian unit of measure equal to 8 imperial ounces (20 imperial gallon; 227.3 mL) or 250 mL.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
(intransitive) To exaggerate a facial expression for communicative emphasis; to make a face, to pose, as for photographs or in a performance, in an exaggerated or affected manner.
The children weren't interested in sitting still for a serious photo; they mugged for the camera.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A British unit of measure equal to 2 imperial pint (10 imperial ounces; 284 mL) or 300 mL.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A trophy in the shape of an oversized cup.
The World Cup is awarded to the winner of a quadrennial football tournament.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
To learn or review a subject as much as possible in a short time; cram.
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Cup
A contest for which a cup is awarded.
The World Cup is the world's most widely watched sporting event.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
A kind of ceramic or metal drinking cup, with a handle, - usually cylindrical and without a lip.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(association football) The main knockout tournament in a country, organised alongside the league.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
The face or mouth; as, I don't want to see your ugly mug again; - often used contemptuously.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(golf) A cup-shaped object placed in the target hole.
The ball just misses the cup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
To take property from (a person) in a public place by threatening or committing violence on the person who is robbed; to rob, especially to rob by use of a weapon such as a knife or gun.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(in combination) Any of various sweetened alcoholic drinks.
Cider cup
Gin cup
Claret cup
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A rigid concave protective covering for the male genitalia.
Players of contact sports are advised to wear a cup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
One of the two parts of a brassiere which each cover a breast.
The cups are made of a particularly uncomfortable material.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
The human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
Rob at gunpoint or with the threat of violence;
I was mugged in the streets of New York last night
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Cup
(tarot) A suit of the minor arcana in tarot, or one of the cards from the suit.
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Mug
Mugs often feature decorative designs or messages.
He bought a mug with a witty quote on it.
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Nov 26, 2023
Cup
(ultimate frisbee) A defensive style characterized by a three player near defense cupping the thrower; or those three players.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mug
A mug is a robust vessel for casual drinkware.
She grabbed a mug for her morning oatmeal.
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Nov 26, 2023
Cup
A flexible concave membrane used to temporarily attach a handle or hook to a flat surface by means of suction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A cupping glass or other vessel or instrument used to produce the vacuum in cupping.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(figurative) That which is to be received or indured; that which is allotted to one; a portion of blessings and afflictions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(transitive) To form into the shape of a cup, particularly of the hands.
Cup your hands and I'll pour some rice into them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
(transitive) To hold something in cupped hands.
He cupped the ball carefully in his hands.
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Cup
(transitive) To pour (a liquid, drink, etc.) into a cup.
We are cupping some new brands of coffee today.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
To apply a cupping apparatus to; to subject to the operation of cupping.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A small vessel, used commonly to drink from; as, a tin cup, a silver cup, a wine cup; especially, in modern times, the pottery or porcelain vessel, commonly with a handle, used with a saucer in drinking tea, coffee, and the like.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
Repeated potations; social or excessive indulgence in intoxicating drinks; revelry.
Thence from cups to civil broils.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
That which is to be received or indured; that which is allotted to one; a portion.
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
Anything shaped like a cup; as, the cup of an acorn, or of a flower.
The cowslip's golden cup no more I see.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A cupping glass or other vessel or instrument used to produce the vacuum in cupping.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
To apply a cupping apparatus to; to subject to the operation of cupping. See Cupping.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
To make concave or in the form of a cup; as, to cup the end of a screw.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
The quantity a cup will hold;
He drank a cup of coffee
He borrowed a cup of sugar
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle;
He put the cup back in the saucer
The handle of the cup was missing
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
A large metal vessel with two handles that is awarded as a trophy to the winner of a competition;
The school kept the cups is a special glass case
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
Any cup-shaped concavity;
Bees filled the waxen cups with honey
He wore a jock strap with a metal cup
The cup of her bra
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Cup
The hole (or metal container in the hole) on a golf green;
He swore as the ball rimmed the cup and rolled away
Put the flag back in the cup
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Oct 19, 2023
Cup
Cups are traditionally used in formal settings.
The dinner table was set with crystal cups for the guests.
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Nov 26, 2023
Cup
A cup is a small bowl-shaped vessel for liquids.
He measured a cup of milk for the recipe.
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Nov 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can mugs be used for cold drinks?
Yes, mugs can be used for both hot and cold drinks.
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Dec 03, 2023
What is a cup typically used for?
A cup is typically used for serving tea or coffee.
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Dec 03, 2023
Do cups always come with saucers?
Not always, but cups often have matching saucers.
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Dec 03, 2023
What materials are mugs made of?
Mugs are usually made of ceramic, stoneware, or glass.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are cups suitable for formal occasions?
Yes, cups are often used for formal tea or coffee services.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are cups usually part of a set?
Yes, cups often come as part of a tea or coffee set.
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Dec 03, 2023
Do mugs have a standard size?
No, mug sizes can vary, but they are generally larger than cups.
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Dec 03, 2023
What distinguishes a mug?
A mug is distinguished by its larger size and handle.
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What makes mugs popular for gifts?
Their practical use and decorative designs make them popular gifts.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are mugs suitable for office use?
Yes, mugs are popular in offices for their practicality.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can mugs be collectible items?
Yes, many people collect mugs with unique designs or from different places.
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Dec 03, 2023
Do cups require special care?
Yes, especially if made of fine materials like porcelain or bone china.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are mugs dishwasher safe?
Many mugs are dishwasher safe, but it's best to check the manufacturer's guidelines.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is there a difference in the taste of beverages from cups or mugs?
The taste is not affected, but the experience may differ due to size and material.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can cups be used in the microwave?
It depends on the material, but some cups can be microwaved.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are there insulated cups?
Yes, there are insulated versions for keeping beverages hot or cold.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are mugs microwave safe?
Many mugs are microwave safe, but it depends on the material.
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Dec 03, 2023
How do I choose between a cup and a mug?
Choose based on the beverage, occasion, and your preference for size and design.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is it common to personalize cups?
It's less common, as cups are often part of a set.
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Dec 03, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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