lip-sync

or lip·synch, lip·sync

[ lip-singk ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to synchronize (recorded sound) with lip movements, as of an actor in a film.
2. to match lip movements with (recorded speech or singing):

   She did a clumsy job of lip-syncing her big song.

noun

1. the technical process by which this is done.
2. the simultaneous recording of voice and picture, especially the synchronization of lip movements with recorded sound.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lip-sync¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

On a Saturday night at North Hollywood’s Club Cobra, a drag queen dressed as Miley Cyrus lip-synced to “Zombie” by the Cranberries, with Halloween decor and disco balls dangling from the ceiling.

From Los Angeles Times

The video, an austere affair with the band lip-syncing in front of a white background, became ubiquitous; “1984” became the first Van Halen record to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart.

From Los Angeles Times

However, when the singer eventually appeared on stage, the lawsuit claimed she was lip-syncing even though the concertgoers had paid for a live experience and performance.

From Salon

As Abela, who also learned guitar and worked with movement and dialect coaches, immersed herself more fully into the role, she understood there would be an “emotional disconnect,” she says, if she opted to lip-sync.

From Los Angeles Times

She made it all the way to the finale, but lost to Nymphia Wind in the final lip-sync battle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coincide
• compare
• conform
• correlate
• dovetail
• harmonize
• resemble
• tally