Explanation at your level:
Your lips are on your face. They are around your mouth. You use them to eat and talk. You can smile with your lips. They are soft and pink.
The lips are the two parts that form the edges of your mouth. We use our lips to make sounds when we speak. Sometimes, in winter, our lips get dry, so we use lip balm to help them feel better.
Lips are the fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth. They play a crucial role in articulation, helping us pronounce specific consonants. Beyond biology, we often use the word in idioms, such as 'my lips are sealed' when we promise to keep a secret.
While lips are primarily biological, the term is frequently used in figurative language. We might talk about 'lip service' to describe insincere support, or 'reading someone's lips' to understand them in a noisy environment. The word is essential for describing both physical anatomy and emotional expression.
In advanced English, lips can denote more than just anatomy; it can represent the act of speaking itself. Phrases like 'a name on everyone's lips' suggest that a topic is currently very popular or widely discussed. Understanding the nuances of this word allows for more descriptive and idiomatic communication in both writing and speech.
The term lips carries significant cultural and literary weight. From the 'stiff upper lip' of British stoicism to the romanticized depictions of lips in poetry, the word transcends its physiological definition. Mastery of this word involves understanding its role in phonetics, where 'labial' sounds are defined by lip movement, and its pervasive presence in the English idiom.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Lips are the fleshy edges of the mouth.
- They are vital for speech and expression.
- They are used in many common English idioms.
- The word is easy to spell and pronounce.
When we talk about lips, we are referring to the two soft, fleshy parts that frame the entrance to your mouth. They are incredibly important for humans because they help us perform so many daily tasks.
Think about how you eat, drink, or whistle—you need your lips to create a seal or shape the airflow. They are also vital for speech; without them, we would struggle to make sounds like 'p', 'b', or 'm'. Plus, they are one of the most expressive parts of our face, helping us show whether we are happy, sad, or surprised!
The word lips comes from the Old English word lippa, which traces back to the Proto-Germanic lippan. It is a very old word that has stayed remarkably consistent in its meaning throughout history.
Interestingly, it is related to the Latin word labrum, which also means lip or edge. This is why we use words like labial in scientific or linguistic contexts. It is fascinating how a simple word for a body part has roots that connect so many different languages across the Indo-European family.
You will hear lips used in many contexts, ranging from casual conversation to medical discussions. In daily life, we often talk about physical sensations, like having 'chapped lips' or applying 'lip balm'.
In more formal or literary settings, the word is often used metaphorically. You might hear someone say 'a word escaped her lips' to describe speaking, or 'a stiff upper lip' to describe someone showing courage. It is a very versatile word that fits almost any register.
1. Keep a stiff upper lip: To remain brave and hide your emotions during a difficult time.
2. My lips are sealed: A way of saying you will keep a secret.
3. Read my lips: Used to emphasize that someone should listen very carefully to what is being said.
4. Lip service: Saying you agree with something without actually doing anything to support it.
5. Curling one's lip: To show disgust or contempt through a facial expression.
The word lips is a standard plural noun. You rarely use the singular 'lip' unless you are specifically referring to only one, such as 'he bit his lower lip'.
In terms of pronunciation, it is a simple one-syllable word. In both British and American English, the IPA is /lɪps/. It rhymes with words like hips, drips, ships, trips, and clips. The stress is always on the single syllable, making it very easy to pronounce for learners.
Fun Fact
The word has remained almost unchanged for over 1000 years.
Pronunciation Guide
short 'i' sound
identical to UK
Common Errors
- confusing 'i' with 'ee'
- dropping the 's'
- mispronouncing the 'p'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Pluralization
lip -> lips
Possessive pronouns
his lips
Idiomatic usage
stiff upper lip
Examples by Level
She has red lips.
lips = fleshy edges of mouth
plural noun
Open your lips.
open = move apart
imperative verb
I hurt my lip.
singular form
singular noun
His lips are dry.
dry = not wet
adjective + noun
She kissed his lips.
kissed = touched with lips
past tense verb
Move your lips.
move = change position
verb phrase
Look at her lips.
look at = observe
prepositional phrase
My lips are cold.
cold = low temperature
adjective + noun
She applied balm to her lips.
He bit his lip in nervousness.
The baby moved her lips while sleeping.
She has thin lips.
He licked his dry lips.
The singer moved her lips to the music.
She pressed her lips together.
His lips turned blue from the cold.
She kept a stiff upper lip during the funeral.
My lips are sealed about your surprise party.
He paid lip service to the new company policy.
She read his lips from across the room.
The secret was on everyone's lips.
He curled his lip in disgust.
She felt a tremble on her lips.
The cold wind made her lips crack.
The politician gave only lip service to the environmental cause.
He could see the words forming on her lips.
She had a slight smile playing on her lips.
The news was on everyone's lips by noon.
He bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.
Her lips were painted a deep shade of crimson.
He maintained a stiff upper lip despite the failure.
The cold air chapped his lips instantly.
The scandal was on the lips of every critic in the city.
She offered mere lip service to the idea of reform.
His lip curled with a sneer that was hard to ignore.
She watched the movement of his lips to decipher his words.
The phrase was constantly on his lips during the debate.
He kept a stiff upper lip, refusing to show his pain.
The artist captured the subtle curve of her lips perfectly.
She felt the words die on her lips before she could speak.
The stoic hero maintained a stiff upper lip throughout the ordeal.
The poem described the cherry-red lips of his beloved.
He gave only lip service to the democratic process, favoring autocracy.
The secret was on everyone's lips, yet no one dared speak it aloud.
She watched his lips move in silent prayer.
His lip curled in a display of utter disdain for the proposal.
The sheer desperation was evident in the tremor of her lips.
The entire town had the rumor on their lips by the end of the day.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"keep a stiff upper lip"
to stay brave
He kept a stiff upper lip after the bad news.
neutral"my lips are sealed"
I will keep the secret
Don't worry, my lips are sealed.
casual"lip service"
insincere support
They only pay lip service to safety.
formal"read my lips"
listen carefully
Read my lips: no more excuses.
casual"on everyone's lips"
everyone is talking about it
The new movie is on everyone's lips.
neutral"curled lip"
showing disgust
He gave a curled lip of disdain.
literaryEasily Confused
similar sound
leaves are plants, lips are body parts
The leaves fall; I move my lips.
both are face parts
lips are the edge, mouth is the opening
He opened his mouth with his lips.
similar spelling
laps are rounds in a race
He ran five laps.
rhyming
rips means to tear
He rips the paper with his lips.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + bit + possessive + lips
She bit her lips.
Subject + pressed + lips + together
He pressed his lips together.
Subject + kept + a + stiff + upper + lip
They kept a stiff upper lip.
Subject + paid + lip service + to + object
He paid lip service to the plan.
Subject + read + object's + lips
I read his lips.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
lips are just the edges
we usually have two
spelling difference
lip is not a standard verb
it is not about actual lips
Tips
Memory Palace
Put a giant pair of lips on your front door.
Native usage
Use 'stiff upper lip' when someone is sad.
Cultural Insight
British culture values the 'stiff upper lip'.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'lips' (plural) for the mouth.
Say It Right
Keep the 'i' short.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'lip' when you mean both.
Did You Know?
Lips have no sweat glands.
Study Smart
Look at your own lips in the mirror.
Expand
Learn 'labial' for formal contexts.
Practice
Practice lip-reading.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
L-I-P-S: Look In People's Smiles.
Visual Association
Imagine a bright red pair of lips smiling.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to say 'lip' ten times fast.
Wortherkunft
Old English
Original meaning: fleshy edge of the mouth
Kultureller Kontext
None, standard anatomical term.
Often associated with beauty standards and emotional stoicism (stiff upper lip).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the doctor
- My lips are dry
- My lip is swollen
At a party
- She has red lipstick
- My lips are sealed
In a meeting
- They only paid lip service
In a movie
- He kept a stiff upper lip
Conversation Starters
"What color lipstick do you like?"
"Have you ever had chapped lips?"
"Do you find it hard to keep a secret?"
"What does 'stiff upper lip' mean to you?"
"Do you know how to read lips?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to be brave.
Describe someone's smile.
Why is it important to keep secrets?
Describe the feeling of cold wind on your face.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, but we usually have two, so we say 'lips'.
A product to keep lips soft.
Yes, many animals have lips.
It means being brave.
Not usually, though 'lip-read' is a compound verb.
L-I-P-S.
Yes.
It is neutral and common.
Teste dich selbst
She has red ___.
lips is the correct body part for the mouth.
What do you use to smile?
lips form the smile.
My lips are sealed means I will tell everyone.
It means you will keep a secret.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching idioms to meanings.
She bit her lips.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Lips are essential for both physical function and emotional expression in English.
- Lips are the fleshy edges of the mouth.
- They are vital for speech and expression.
- They are used in many common English idioms.
- The word is easy to spell and pronounce.
Memory Palace
Put a giant pair of lips on your front door.
Native usage
Use 'stiff upper lip' when someone is sad.
Cultural Insight
British culture values the 'stiff upper lip'.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'lips' (plural) for the mouth.
Related Content
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr health Wörter
à condition de
B1On condition that; provided that.
à court terme
B1Short-term, over a short period of time.
à jeun
B1On an empty stomach, before eating.
à l'abri
B1Sheltered; safe from danger or harm.
à l'aide de
A2With the help of, by means of.
à l'encontre de
B1Against; contrary to (e.g., advice, rules).
à l'hôpital
B1Located or being in a hospital.
à long terme
B1Long-term, over a long period of time.
à risque
B1At risk of harm, illness, or danger.
à titre
B1As a (e.g., as a preventive measure); by way of.
