WordGarden.iolip
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪp/
US
- /ˈlɪp/
Meanings
Noun
either of the two soft edges of the mouth
the edge or rim of an opening, container, or surface
impudent or disrespectful talk
Verb
to speak to someone with disrespect or backtalk
Beyond the definition
Your lips are the soft parts around your mouth. You use them for speaking, eating, kissing, and showing feelings. But "lip" is not just about the face. It can also mean the edge of something, like the lip of a cup or a bowl. It can even describe the way someone speaks: if a person is "giving lip," they are talking back in a rude or bold way.
Think about it: you might bite your lip when you are nervous, or smile and press your lips together when you are trying not to laugh. You might also hear about the lip of a container or the lip at the edge of a drop. So the word can point to the mouth, to an edge, or to rude speech.
The word "lip" most commonly refers to either of the two fleshy parts forming the edge of the mouth—essential for speech, eating, and expressing emotions like smiling or frowning. You might describe someone as having full lips, thin lips, or chapped lips. A slight tremble of the lip can betray nervousness, while a firm set of lips can signal determination.
However, "lip" extends beyond just our faces. It also describes the edge or rim of an opening or container. The lip of a cup helps guide liquid, and the lip of a bowl or box is its outer edge. This same idea appears in places and surfaces too, such as the lip of a cliff, a crater, or a waterfall.
Furthermore, "lip" can be used informally to refer to what someone says—specifically when it is disrespectful or sassy. To "give someone lip" means to talk back or be insolent. This usage likely stems from the idea that words "come from" your lips! You might hear, "He gave his teacher a lot of lip," meaning he was being rude and defiant.
So whether you're talking about anatomy, geography, or attitude, "lip" is a versatile word describing boundaries, expressions, and sometimes, a little bit of sass.
Examples
- 1
Mouth injury
She had a small cut on her lower lip.
- 2
Facial expression
He pressed his lips together and looked away.
- 3
Lip care
My lips get dry in winter, so I keep lip balm in my bag.
- 4
Holding back
He bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.
- Phrasebit his lip
held back a feeling or reaction
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Visual communication
My aunt can read lips when the room is too noisy.
- Phraseread lips
understand someone by watching their mouth move
- 6
Container edge
There was a chip on the lip of the cup.
- Patternthe lip of + container
its top edge
- 7
Drop edge
We stood at the lip of the canyon and looked down.
- Patternthe lip of + deep place
the edge before it drops
- 8
Rude reply
Don't give me any lip; just answer the question.
- Phrasegive someone lip
speak rudely or argue back
- 9
Empty support
The company paid lip service to safety but ignored the real problems.
- Patternpay lip service to + cause/idea
say you support it without doing much
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- lipnounverb
Forms
- lipspluralnounverb
- lippedpast tenseverbnoun
- lipping-ing formverbnoun