lip
either of the two fleshy parts or folds forming the margins of the mouth and functioning in speech.
Usually lips . these parts as organs of speech: I heard it from his own lips.
lipstick: She usually wears a dramatic red lip.
a projecting edge on a container or other hollow object: the lip of a pitcher.
a liplike part or structure, especially of anatomy.
any edge or rim.
the edge of an opening or cavity, as of a canyon or a wound: the lip of the crater.
Slang. impudent talk; back talk: Don't give me any of your lip.
Botany. either of the two parts into which the corolla or calyx of certain plants, especially of the mint family, is divided.
Zoology.
a labium.
the outer or the inner margin of the aperture of a gastropod's shell.
Music. the position and arrangement of lips and tongue in playing a wind instrument; embouchure.
the cutting edge of a tool.
the blade, at the end of an auger, which cuts the chip after it has been circumscribed by the spur.
(in a twist drill) the cutting edge at the bottom of each flute.
of or relating to the lips or a lip: lip ointment.
characterized by or made with the lips: to read lip movements.
superficial or insincere: to offer lip praise.
to touch with the lips.
Golf. to hit the ball over the rim of (the hole).
to utter, especially softly.
to kiss.
to use the lips in playing a musical wind instrument.
lip off, Slang. to talk impudently or belligerently.
Idioms about lip
bite one's lip / tongue, to repress one's anger or other emotions: He wanted to return the insult, but bit his lip.
button one's lip, Slang. to keep silent, especially, to refrain from revealing information: They told him to button his lip if he didn't want trouble.: Also button up.
hang on the lips of, to listen to very attentively: The members of the club hung on the lips of the visiting lecturer.
keep a stiff upper lip,
to face misfortune bravely and resolutely: Throughout the crisis they kept a stiff upper lip.
to suppress the display of any emotion.
smack one's lips, to indicate one's keen enjoyment or pleasurable anticipation of: We smacked our lips over the delicious meal.
Origin of lip
1Other words from lip
- lip·less, adjective
- lip·like, adjective
- out·lip, verb (used with object), out·lipped, out·lip·ping.
- un·der·lip, noun
Other definitions for lip- (2 of 2)
variant of lipo-1 before a vowel: lipectomy, libase, lipemia.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use lip in a sentence
“I like decorating my slaves,” she said, referencing the rope, her thin, crimson-coated lips peeling off her front teeth.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau | Ian Frisch | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe smiled, too, her incisors creeping out from behind her lips.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau | Ian Frisch | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe can barely speak the titles, but manages to let Viridiana and That Obscure Object of Desire pass from his lips.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShirtless bros with pillowy lips and cargo pants pulled down to expose tufts of pubic hair.
Abercrombie & Ditch: The Fall of the House of Tween | Lizzie Crocker | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWith scarlet lips and chemical red hair, the erstwhile agent is still making headlines in the West.
Before Ripperda could unclasp his lips to reply, the stranger had opened the door, and passed through it like a gliding shadow.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterThe mother's lips could not finish the charge she was about to put upon her innocent child.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterHe leant against the wall of his refuge, notwithstanding this boast, and licked the ice to moisten his parched lips.
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneThe Senora Moreno's heart broke within her, when those words passed her lips to her adored Felipe.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonA sob rose in her throat, and broke from her lips transformed into a trembling, sharp, glad cry.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) Ogden
British Dictionary definitions for lip (1 of 2)
/ (lɪp) /
anatomy
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: Related adjective: labial
(as modifier): lip salve
the corresponding part in animals, esp mammals
any structure resembling a lip, such as the rim of a crater, the margin of a gastropod shell, etc
a nontechnical word for labium, labellum (def. 1)
slang impudent talk or backchat
the embouchure and control in the lips needed to blow wind and brass instruments
bite one's lip
to stifle one's feelings
to be annoyed or irritated
button one's lip or button up one's lip slang to stop talking: often imperative
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
lick one's lips or smack one's lips to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish
(tr) to touch with the lip or lips
(tr) to form or be a lip or lips for
(tr) rare to murmur or whisper
(intr) to use the lips in playing a wind instrument
Origin of lip
1- See also lip out
Derived forms of lip
- lipless, adjective
- liplike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for lip- (2 of 2)
a variant of lipo-
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with lip
In addition to the idioms beginning with lip
- lips are sealed, one's
- lip service
also see:
- button up (one's lip)
- keep a stiff upper lip
- lick one's chops (lips)
- pass one's lips
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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