noun A2 Elementary Common

lip

lihp

Lip (noun) means Either of the two fleshy edges around the mouth. Example: “She bit her lip nervously before answering.”

noun

Either of the two fleshy edges around the mouth.

"She bit her lip nervously before answering."

Disrespectful or cheeky backtalk.

"Don't give me any lip, just do as you're told."

verb

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 notes

In 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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She bit her _____ nervously before answering.

Etymology

From Old English lippa, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to hang loosely or droop."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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cheek insolence impudence sass backchat impertinence

Related words

face cheek banter modesty freshness backchat impertinence impudence

Rhymes for lip

slip clip flip blip

See all rhymes for lip →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lip” mean?

The word “lip” means either of the two fleshy edges around the mouth. In plain terms, the soft edge of the mouth — or, informally, rude backchat.

How do you pronounce “lip”?

“Lip” is pronounced lihp (/lɪp/ in IPA).

How do you use “lip” in a sentence?

Here is “lip” used in a sentence: “She bit her lip nervously before answering.”

What part of speech is “lip”?

Depending on how it is used, “lip” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “lip” come from?

The word “lip” comes from Old English. From Old English lippa, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to hang loosely or droop.".

Is “lip” a common word?

“Lip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “lip” have?

“Lip” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: either of the two fleshy edges around the mouth.

What is the difference between "lip" and "lips"?

Singular "lip" refers to one of the two fleshy edges around the mouth, or figuratively to cheeky backtalk. Plural "lips" refers to both edges together, as in "she bit her lips." The backtalk sense is always singular and uncountable.

Is the "backtalk" meaning of "lip" formal or informal?

The sense of "lip" meaning cheeky backtalk is informal and appears mainly in spoken English, as in "Don't give me any lip." In formal writing you would use words like "insolence" or "impertinence" instead.

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Vocabulary lists that include lip:

3 letter words Words that start with L Words that end with P

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face cheek banter modesty freshness backchat impertinence impudence