lip

Syllabification: (lip)

Pronunciation: /lip/

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Definition of lip

noun

1either of the two fleshy parts that form the upper and lower edges of the opening of the mouth:he kissed her on the lips
(lips) used to refer to a person’s speech or to current topics of conversation:downsizing is on everyone’s lips at the moment
another term for labium (sense 1) and labium (sense 2).
another term for labellum.

2the edge of a hollow container or an opening:drawing her finger around the lip of the cup
a rounded, raised, or extended piece along an edge.

3 informal impudent talk:don’t give me any of your lip!

verb (lips, lipping, lipped)

[with object]

(of water) lap against:beaches lipped by the surf rimming the Pacific
Golf hit the rim of (a hole) but fail to go in.

Phrases

curl one's lip: raise a corner of one’s upper lip to show contempt; sneer.
lick (or smack) one's lips: look forward to something with relish; show one’s satisfaction.
my (or his, etc.) lips are sealed: see seal¹.
pass one's lips: be eaten, drunk, or spoken.
pay lip service to: express approval of or support for (something) without taking any significant action.

Derivatives

lipless
liplike
lipped: her pale-lipped mouth

Origin:

Old English lippa, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lip and German Lippe, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin labia, labra 'lips'

lip in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of lip in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

lip

noun

verb (lips, lipping, lipped)

Phrases

curl one's lip

lick (or smack) one's lips

my (or his, etc.) lips are sealed

pass one's lips

pay lip service to

Derivatives

lipless

liplike

lipped

Origin:

lip in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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