lip

¹

[ lip ]

noun

1. either of the two fleshy parts or folds forming the margins of the mouth and functioning in speech.
2. Usually lips. these parts as organs of speech:

   I heard it from his own lips.

3. lipstick:

   She usually wears a dramatic red lip.

4. a projecting edge on a container or other hollow object:

   the lip of a pitcher.

5. a liplike part or structure, especially of anatomy.
6. any edge or rim.
7. the edge of an opening or cavity, as of a canyon or a wound:

   the lip of the crater.

8. Slang. impudent talk; back talk:

   Don't give me any of your lip.

9. Botany. either of the two parts into which the corolla or calyx of certain plants, especially of the mint family, is divided.
10. Zoology.
    1. a labium.
    2. the outer or the inner margin of the aperture of a gastropod's shell.
11. Music. the position and arrangement of lips and tongue in playing a wind instrument; embouchure.
12. the cutting edge of a tool.
13. the blade, at the end of an auger, which cuts the chip after it has been circumscribed by the spur.
14. (in a twist drill) the cutting edge at the bottom of each flute.

adjective

1. of or relating to the lips or a lip:

   lip ointment.

2. characterized by or made with the lips:

   to read lip movements.

3. superficial or insincere:

   to offer lip praise.

verb (used with object)

, lipped, lip·ping.

1. to touch with the lips.
2. Golf. to hit the ball over the rim of (the hole).
3. to utter, especially softly.
4. to kiss.

verb (used without object)

, lipped, lip·ping.

1. to use the lips in playing a musical wind instrument.

verb phrase

1. Slang. to talk impudently or belligerently.

lip-

²

1. variant of lipo- ¹ before a vowel:

   lipectomy, libase, lipemia.

lip-

¹

combining_form

1. a variant of lipo-

lip

²

/ lɪp /

noun

1. anatomy
   1. either of the two fleshy folds surrounding the mouth, playing an important role in the production of speech sounds, retaining food in the mouth, etc labial
   2. ( as modifier )

      lip salve

2. the corresponding part in animals, esp mammals
3. any structure resembling a lip, such as the rim of a crater, the margin of a gastropod shell, etc
4. a nontechnical word for labium labellum
5. slang.
   impudent talk or backchat
6. the embouchure and control in the lips needed to blow wind and brass instruments
7. bite one's lip
   1. to stifle one's feelings
   2. to be annoyed or irritated
8. button one's lip or button up one's lip slang.
   to stop talking: often imperative
9. keep a stiff upper lip
   to maintain one's courage or composure during a time of trouble without giving way to or revealing one's emotions
10. lick one's lips or smack one's lips
    to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish

verb

1. tr to touch with the lip or lips
2. tr to form or be a lip or lips for
3. rare.
   tr to murmur or whisper
4. intr to use the lips in playing a wind instrument

Derived Forms

• ˈlipˌlike, adjective
• ˈlipless, adjective

Other Words From

• lip·less adjective
• lip·like adjective
• out·lip verb (used with object) outlipped outlipping
• un·der·lip noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lip¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English lip(pe), Old English lippa; cognate with Dutch lip, German Lippe; akin to Norwegian lepe, Latin labium

Word History and Origins

Origin of lip¹

Old English lippa; related to Old High German leffur, Norwegian lepe, Latin labium

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bite one's lip / tongue, to repress one's anger or other emotions:

   He wanted to return the insult, but bit his lip.

2. button one's lip, Slang. to keep silent, especially, to refrain from revealing information: Also button up.

   They told him to button his lip if he didn't want trouble.

3. hang on the lips of, to listen to very attentively:

   The members of the club hung on the lips of the visiting lecturer.

4. keep a stiff upper lip,
   1. to face misfortune bravely and resolutely:

      Throughout the crisis they kept a stiff upper lip.

   2. to suppress the display of any emotion.
5. smack one's lips, to indicate one's keen enjoyment or pleasurable anticipation of:

   We smacked our lips over the delicious meal.

More idioms and phrases containing lip

• button up (one's lip)
• keep a stiff upper lip
• lick one's chops (lips)
• pass one's lips

Example Sentences

The kitten hadn’t developed its long teeth yet, but it did have a long upper lip.

From NewsForKids.net

She also knows what happens to old soldiers with loose lips.

From Salon

The jury was given details of some of Ms Riaz's injuries, including multiple fractured ribs, bruising and lacerations to her lips.

From BBC

The retired aerospace engineer, who lives in Sierra Madre, did about four reps before his teeth clenched, his legs trembled and he let out short puffs of air through pursed lips.

From Los Angeles Times

I play a little game isolating scents in patches of wind, flaring my nostrils and parting my lips slightly, as if wine tasting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheek
• jaw
• mouth