ENGLISH
REFERENCE

labia

n. plural-only
C1 Advanced UK //lˈeɪbiɐ// labia Anatomy
Definition

n. the two outer folds of skin that cover the front part of the female genitalia. They protect the more sensitive areas underneath.

n. the two outer folds of fatty tissue and skin that form the external part of the female genitalia. Plural in form; the singular is 'labium'.


SIMPLE

The labia protect the sensitive skin underneath.

CONTEXTUAL

During a routine medical exam, the doctor carefully examined the labia for any signs of irritation or infection.

COMPLEX

The labia vary significantly in size and shape among individuals, serving both a protective function and a role in sexual stimulation through their rich nerve endings.

Origin

Unadapted borrowing from Latin labia (“lips”), plural of labium (“lip”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated May 31, 2026