noun
lip
lihp
noun
1
Either of the two fleshy edges around the mouth.
"She bit her lip nervously before answering."
2
Disrespectful or cheeky backtalk.
"Don't give me any lip, just do as you're told."
verb
1
To silently form words with the mouth without making a sound.
"She lipped the answer to him across the room."
How to Use Lip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe soft edge of the mouth — or, informally, rude backchat.
When to use it
"Lip" meaning cheek/backtalk is informal.
Common pairings
bite your lip
give someone lip
lip of the cup
Word Forms
lipped past tense, lipt past tense, lips singular
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Etymology
From Old English lippa, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to hang loosely or droop."