/ lɪp; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] either of the two soft edges at the opening to the mouth :
The assistant pursed her lips.
your upper / lower / top / bottom lip
She kissed him on the lips .
Not a drop of alcohol passed my lips (= I didn't drink any) .
—picture at face
2.
-lipped (in adjectives) having the type of lips mentioned :
thin-lipped
thick-lipped
—see also tight-lipped
3.
[ C ] lip (of sth) the edge of a container or a hollow place in the ground
SYN rim :
He ran his finger around the lip of the cup.
Lava bubbled a few feet below the lip of the crater.
—picture at jug
4.
[ U ] ( informal ) words spoken to sb that are rude and show a lack of respect for that person
SYN cheek :
Don't let him give you any lip !
•
IDIOMS
- lick / smack your lips
- my lips are sealed
- on everyone's lips
—more at bite verb , pass verb , read verb , slip noun , stiff adjective
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English lippa , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lip and German Lippe , from an Indo-European root shared by Latin labia , labra lips.