noun

teabag

TEE-bag

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Teabag (noun) means a small paper or cloth sachet filled with tea leaves, used to make tea by steeping it in hot water. Example: “She dropped a teabag into her mug and poured on the boiling water.”

noun

A small paper or cloth sachet filled with tea leaves, used to make tea by steeping it in hot water.

"She dropped a teabag into her mug and poured on the boiling water."

"Most people in a hurry use a teabag rather than loose-leaf tea."

"He squeezed the teabag against the side of the cup before throwing it away."

verb

vulgar slang To lower one's scrotum onto another person's face or head as a vulgar sexual or mocking act.

"The scene was cut from the film for being too crude after one character teabagged another."

"It is a crude prank often referenced in comedy rather than shown outright."

How to use teabag

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe little tea-leaf sachet you dunk in your mug, or, as slang, a crude prank.

When to use it

The noun sense is completely everyday, but the verb sense is vulgar slang best avoided in polite or formal contexts.

Memory tip

Stick to the noun sense (the tea sachet) unless you're sure of your audience, since the verb sense is crude slang.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

dunk a teabag squeeze the teabag herbal teabag

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “teabag” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She dropped a _____ into her mug and poured on the boiling water.

Etymology

Teabag was formed in English simply by joining the words tea and bag.

Origin: English

Rhymes for teabag

fleabag

See all rhymes for teabag →

Frequently asked questions

What is a teabag?

It is a small sachet of tea leaves that you steep in hot water to make a cup of tea.

What does teabag mean as a verb?

As a vulgar slang verb, it describes lowering one's scrotum onto someone's face or head as a crude act.

Is teabag one word or two?

Both are used; teabag is common, but tea bag and tea-bag also appear as alternative spellings.

What is the meaning of teabag?

"teabag" (noun) means a small paper or cloth sachet filled with tea leaves, used to make tea by steeping it in hot water.