ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lip

n. · v.
US //ˈɫɪp// UK //lˈɪp// lip
  1. 1 part of the mouth (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    one of the two soft, pink or red parts around your mouth.

    either of the two fleshy folds forming the margins of the mouth.

    Example

    She applied some balm because her lips were dry from the cold wind.

    Example

    The patient presented with a small laceration on the lower lip that required three stitches to close properly.

  2. 2 edge of a container (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the top edge of a cup, bowl, or other container.

    the projecting rim or edge of a vessel or open container.

    Example

    Be careful not to chip the lip of that expensive crystal glass.

    Example

    The jug features a narrow lip designed to prevent splashing while pouring heavy liquids.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 rude talk (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    rude or disrespectful speech, especially to someone in authority.

    impudent or disrespectful speech; backtalk.

    Example

    The teacher told the student she didn't want any more lip from him.

    Example

    The manager warned the employee that further lip regarding the new policy would result in a formal disciplinary hearing.
  2. 4 edge of a cliff (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Geology

    the very edge of a steep place, like a cliff or a crater.

    the edge or margin of a steep geographical feature or cavity.

    Example

    They stood at the lip of the canyon and looked down at the river.

    Example

    The hikers halted at the lip of the volcanic crater, mesmerised by the steam rising from the vents below.
  3. 5 musical technique (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    the strength or position of a musician's mouth when playing a wind instrument.

    the condition or strength of a wind instrumentalist's embouchure.

    Example

    The trumpet player lost his lip after not practicing for a month.

    Example

    Developing a strong lip is essential for horn players to maintain pitch stability during long orchestral performances.
    • embouchure
  4. 6 to touch with lips (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to touch something with your lips or to flow against an edge.

    to touch or lap against a surface; in sports, to hit the edge of a hole.

    Example

    The waves gently lipped the side of the wooden boat.

    Example

    The golfer groaned as his birdie putt lipped the cup but failed to drop in.
Origin

From Middle English lippe, from Old English lippa, lippe (“lip”), from Proto-West Germanic lippjō (“lip”), from Proto-Germanic lepô, from Proto-Indo-European *leb- (“to hang loosely, droop, sag”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Lippe (“lip”), West Frisian lippe (“lip”), Dutch lip (“lip”), German Lippe and Lefze (“lip”), Low German Lippe (“lip”), Luxembourgish Lëps (“lip”), Vilamovian łyp (“lip”), Yiddish ליפּ (lip, “lip”), Danish læbe (“lip”), Norwegian Bokmål leppe (“lip”), Norwegian Nynorsk leppa, leppe, lippa, lippe (“lip”), Swedish läpp (“lip”), Latin labium (“lip”).

Word family
Idioms9 entries

© 2026 English Reference