Cup vs. Mug: What's the Difference?
By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
A cup is a small, open container for holding liquids, often with a handle. A mug is a larger, cylindrical vessel with a handle, typically used for hot beverages.
Key Differences
A cup is a general term for a vessel that holds liquids. Cups can come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, such as glass, plastic, or ceramic. They may or may not have handles, and some are specially designed for particular types of beverages like tea or espresso.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
In contrast, a mug is a specific type of cup that usually has a handle and a cylindrical shape. Mugs are primarily designed to hold hot beverages like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They are often thicker and have a larger capacity than typical cups, making them more suitable for serving hot liquids.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
In terms of grammar, both "cup" and "mug" function as nouns. While "cup" can also be used as a verb meaning to shape your hand into a cup-like form, "mug" can also refer to an act of robbery or the facial expressions one makes (as in "to mug for the camera").
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
From an idiomatic standpoint, the usage of "cup" and "mug" can differ. Phrases like "a cup of joe" and "a mug of beer" reflect the beverages typically associated with each container. While a "cup" often represents delicacy or formality, a "mug" conveys a more casual or hearty atmosphere.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
General-purpose liquid container
Hot beverages like coffee and tea
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Grammatical Role
Noun, sometimes verb ("to cup")
Noun, sometimes verb ("to mug")
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Cup and Mug Definitions
ADVERTISEMENT
Cup
A small open container, usually with a flat bottom and a handle, used for drinking.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Cup
Abbr. c. A unit of capacity or volume equal to 16 tablespoons or 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters). See Table at measurement.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
An athletic supporter having a protective reinforcement of rigid plastic or metal.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A sweetened, flavored, usually chilled beverage, especially one made with wine
Claret cup.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
To threaten or assault (a person) with the intent to rob
Arrested the thief who mugged the tourists.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
To make exaggerated facial expressions, especially for humorous effect
The partygoers mugged for the camera.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
A large cup for beverages, usually having a handle and used without a saucer.A mug
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
To place one's curved hand or hands over or around
Cupped his chin in his hands.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
A gullible or easily-cheated person.
He's a gullible mug – he believed her again.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
The contents of said vessel.
I drank two cups of water but still felt thirsty.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(Canada) A Canadian unit of measure equal to 8 imperial ounces (20 imperial gallon; 227.3 mL) or 250 mL.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A British unit of measure equal to 2 imperial pint (10 imperial ounces; 284 mL) or 300 mL.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A trophy in the shape of an oversized cup.
The World Cup is awarded to the winner of a quadrennial football tournament.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A contest for which a cup is awarded.
The World Cup is the world's most widely watched sporting event.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(association football) The main knockout tournament in a country, organised alongside the league.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(golf) A cup-shaped object placed in the target hole.
The ball just misses the cup.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
A kind of ceramic or metal drinking cup, with a handle, - usually cylindrical and without a lip.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(in combination) Any of various sweetened alcoholic drinks.
Cider cup
Gin cup
Claret cup
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
The face or mouth; as, I don't want to see your ugly mug again; - often used contemptuously.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A rigid concave protective covering for the male genitalia.
Players of contact sports are advised to wear a cup.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
One of the two parts of a brassiere which each cover a breast.
The cups are made of a particularly uncomfortable material.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
The human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(tarot) A suit of the minor arcana in tarot, or one of the cards from the suit.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(ultimate frisbee) A defensive style characterized by a three player near defense cupping the thrower; or those three players.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Mug
Rob at gunpoint or with the threat of violence;
I was mugged in the streets of New York last night
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A flexible concave membrane used to temporarily attach a handle or hook to a flat surface by means of suction.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A cupping glass or other vessel or instrument used to produce the vacuum in cupping.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(figurative) That which is to be received or indured; that which is allotted to one; a portion of blessings and afflictions.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(transitive) To hold something in cupped hands.
He cupped the ball carefully in his hands.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
(transitive) To pour (a liquid, drink, etc.) into a cup.
We are cupping some new brands of coffee today.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
Repeated potations; social or excessive indulgence in intoxicating drinks; revelry.
Thence from cups to civil broils.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
A cupping glass or other vessel or instrument used to produce the vacuum in cupping.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
To apply a cupping apparatus to; to subject to the operation of cupping. See Cupping.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Cup
The quantity a cup will hold;
He drank a cup of coffee
He borrowed a cup of sugar
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
FAQs
Do mugs always have handles?
Almost always, as they are designed for hot liquids.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can cups have handles?
Yes, some cups have handles, but it's not a requirement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
What does "mug shot" mean?
It's a photographic portrait taken after one is arrested.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Are cups and mugs made of the same material?
They can be, but mugs are often thicker to hold hot liquids.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can I microwave a cup?
It depends on the material. Always check manufacturer guidelines.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Is a mug a type of cup?
Yes, a mug is a specific type of cup designed for hot beverages.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can "mug" be a verb?
Yes, "to mug" can refer to robbery or making a facial expression.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is a cup more formal than a mug?
Generally, yes. Cups are often used in more formal settings.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
What's the capacity of a mug?
Typically larger than a cup, often around 12 to 16 ounces.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Is "mug" more casual than "cup"?
Generally, yes. Mugs are often used in more casual settings.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
