lip
High frequencyInformal, technical (anatomy, music), idiomatic
Definition
Meaning
Either of the two fleshy parts forming the edges of the mouth opening.
Any edge or rim resembling the shape or function of a lip (e.g., of a cup, crater, wound); impertinent, insolent talk.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has strong metaphorical extensions to communication (speaking) and attitude (insolence), and functional extensions to edges and rims.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. The verb 'to lip off' (to speak insolently) is more common in AmE, while 'lip service' is equally common.
Connotations
Slight connotation of insolence or verbosity is shared in both varieties (e.g., 'Don't give me any lip!').
Frequency
Core noun usage identical in frequency; collocations vary slightly (e.g., 'lip balm' slightly more common in AmE; 'lip salve' UK-specific).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
keep a stiff upper lip (idiom)pay lip service to sthlick/smack one's lipsgive (someone) some lipon everyone's lipsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bite your lip (suppress emotion/reaction)”
- “lick your lips (show eager anticipation)”
- “on everyone's lips (being talked about by many)”
- “stiff upper lip (fortitude in adversity)”
- “pay lip service (insincere support)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically, e.g., 'The policy was just lip service without real investment.'
Academic
Anatomical, phonetic, and musicological contexts (e.g., 'labiodental sounds,' 'lip position in brass instruments').
Everyday
Cosmetics, health ('lip balm'), expressions of emotion ('bit her lip'), and reprimands ('Don't give me any lip!').
Technical
Anatomy (labial nerves), acoustics (lip reed in brass instruments), dentistry (labial surface of a tooth).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She can lip-read quite proficiently.
- The musician was lip-syncing poorly to the recording.
American English
- The player got a penalty for lipping off to the referee.
- He just lipped the words; I couldn't hear him.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form in use)
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form in use)
adjective
British English
- She had a lip salve in her pocket.
- The lip microphone was essential for the noisy broadcast.
American English
- He applied some lip balm before going out.
- The lip sync battle was hilarious.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her lips were red.
- I put balm on my lips.
- He bit his lip nervously before answering.
- You need to protect your lips from the sun.
- The company pays lip service to sustainability but doesn't change its practices.
- She mastered lip-reading after losing her hearing.
- His provocative comments were dismissed as mere lip from an attention-seeker.
- The lip of the volcanic crater was dangerously fragile.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the word 'lip' written on a pair of lips. The 'L' looks like a pursed lip, the 'I' is a tooth, and the 'P' is the pouting shape.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MOUTH IS A CONTAINER; LIPS ARE THE DOOR/EDGE. / COMMUNICATION IS MOTION OUT OF THE CONTAINER; IMPERTINENT SPEECH IS A DAMAGED DOOR.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'губа' can mean 'lip' but also 'bay' (geography) and 'blister'.
- The idiom 'stiff upper lip' has no direct Russian equivalent; it's a cultural concept about emotional restraint.
- The verb 'to lip' (as in 'lip-read') is not obvious from the noun; Russian uses a different root ('читать по губам').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lip' as a countable noun for lipstick ('I put on a lip' is wrong; correct: 'I put on some lipstick/lip colour').
- Confusing 'lip service' (insincere agreement) with 'lip-reading' (understanding speech by watching lips).
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'a stiff upper lip', what does 'lip' metaphorically represent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Singular 'lip' refers to one of the two (upper or lower). Plural 'lips' refers to them together as a feature. Some idioms use the singular ('stiff upper lip'), others the plural ('lick your lips').
'Lip-reading' is understanding speech by watching a speaker's lip movements. 'Lip-syncing' is moving one's lips in synchronization with a pre-recorded audio track, often in performance.
Yes, when referring to insolent or disrespectful talk (e.g., 'Don't give me any lip!'). The idiom 'lip service' also has a negative connotation of insincerity.
It's a short, simple word, but learners sometimes confuse it with 'lip' as part of compound words (e.g., 'lipstick' is one word, not 'lip stick').
Collections
Part of a collection
Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.