noun

tbsp

TAY-bl-spoon

Tbsp (noun) means Written abbreviation of tablespoon, a standard cooking measure equal to three teaspoons, about 15 millilitres in the UK and US and 20 millilitres in Australia. Example: “Add 2 tbsp olive oil and stir.”

noun

Written abbreviation of tablespoon, a standard cooking measure equal to three teaspoons, about 15 millilitres in the UK and US and 20 millilitres in Australia.

"Add 2 tbsp olive oil and stir."

"The recipe calls for 1 tbsp of tomato purée."

How to Use Tbsp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShort for tablespoon in a recipe.

When to use it

Recipe and packaging shorthand; write it out as tablespoon in ordinary prose.

Memory tip

Capital T means tablespoon and lowercase t means teaspoon in older American recipes — an easy mistake to make.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

tsp tbs dsp →

Common pairings

2 tbsp oil 1 tbsp sugar level tbsp heaped tbsp

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Add 2 _____ olive oil and stir.

Etymology

A written abbreviation of tablespoon.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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tablespoon tbs T

Related Words

tonne teaspoon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tbsp and tsp?

Tbsp is a tablespoon and tsp is a teaspoon, and one tablespoon equals three teaspoons. Mixing them up triples or thirds the quantity, which matters most with salt, baking powder and spices.

How many millilitres is a tbsp?

15 ml in the UK, US and Canada, and 20 ml in Australia, which is four teaspoons rather than three. For accuracy in baking, use a proper measuring spoon rather than cutlery from the drawer.

Is tbsp written with a full stop or an s in the plural?

It is normally written without a full stop and does not change in the plural: 2 tbsp, not 2 tbsps. American style often adds a full stop, as in 2 tbsp.

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