lip-sync: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “lip-sync” mean?
The act of moving one's lips silently in synchronization with a pre-recorded soundtrack, typically music or dialogue, to give the appearance of performing the vocals live.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of moving one's lips silently in synchronization with a pre-recorded soundtrack, typically music or dialogue, to give the appearance of performing the vocals live.
Can refer to the technical process of matching recorded audio to a performer's visuals in film, television, or music video production. More broadly, any action where someone pretends to be the source of sound or action created by another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling is consistent. The term 'lip-synch' is a less common, older variant occasionally seen, but 'lip-sync' is standard in both dialects.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of imitation or faking a performance.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English due to the prominence of music video and reality TV culture, but widely understood and used in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “lip-sync” in a Sentence
[Subject] lip-syncs to [Song/Recording][Subject] is lip-syncingA lip-sync of [Song]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lip-sync” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The contestant had to lip-sync to a Spice Girls track.
- They were accused of lip-syncing during the entire stadium tour.
American English
- She totally lip-synced the national anthem at the game.
- You can't just lip-sync to your own song in the music video, you have to perform it.
adverb
British English
- He performed the song lip-sync. (less common, often rephrased as '...by lip-syncing')
American English
- She sang the song lip-sync. (less common)
adjective
British English
- It was a disappointing lip-sync performance on the talent show.
- The lip-sync challenge is the highlight of the programme.
American English
- The lip-sync battle between the two actors went viral.
- He's a famous lip-sync artist on YouTube.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in specific entertainment industries discussing performance contracts or authenticity scandals.
Academic
Used in media studies, performance studies, and cultural analysis to discuss authenticity, technology in performance, and pop culture phenomena.
Everyday
Common when discussing music videos, TV shows (e.g., Lip Sync Battle), or when a performer is accused of not singing live at a concert.
Technical
Used in film/TV production for the process of matching ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) or pre-recorded music to an actor's lip movements.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lip-sync”
- Misspelling as 'lip-sing' (incorrect).
- Using 'lip-sync' as a noun when a verb is needed, e.g., 'He did a great lip-sync' (correct noun) vs. 'He lip-syncs well' (correct verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The hyphenated form 'lip-sync' is most common and standard in dictionaries. 'Lip sync' (two words) is also frequently seen, and 'lipsync' (closed) is less common.
'Lip-sync' generally implies a performer matching their lip movements to a pre-existing recording, often to fake a live vocal. 'Dubbing' refers to replacing original audio with new audio, such as dialogue in another language or cleaner audio, and requires the new audio to sync with the lip movements.
Not always. In music videos, complex stage shows with heavy dancing, or for technical corrections in film/TV (ADR), it is accepted and often necessary. It is criticized primarily in contexts where a live vocal performance is explicitly expected, such as a solo concert.
Yes. As a verb: 'She will lip-sync to the track.' As a noun: 'He won the lip-sync competition.'
The act of moving one's lips silently in synchronization with a pre-recorded soundtrack, typically music or dialogue, to give the appearance of performing the vocals live.
Lip-sync is usually informal, technical in register.
Lip-sync: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɪp sɪŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɪp sɪŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lip-sync for your life (from RuPaul's Drag Race, meaning to perform a lip-sync with high stakes)”
- “caught lip-syncing (exposed for not singing live)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your LIPS SYNChronizing perfectly with a SONG. LIP-SYNC = LIPS + SYNC.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERFORMANCE IS AUTHENTICITY (Lip-syncing is a breach of this metaphor, representing FAKE PERFORMANCE).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of a performer 'lip-syncing' during a concert?