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1[countable] 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). Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
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- 2-lipped (in adjectives) having the type of lips mentioned thin-lipped thick-lipped see tight-lipped
- 3[countable] lip (of something) the edge of a container or a hollow place in the ground synonym rim He ran his finger around the lip of the cup. Lava bubbled a few feet below the lip of the crater.
- 4[uncountable] (informal) words spoken to someone that are rude and show a lack of respect for that person Don't let him give you any lip! I've just about had enough of your lip! Idioms
- 1to move your tongue over your lips, especially before eating something good
- 2(informal) to show that you are excited about something and want it to happen soon They were licking their lips at the thought of clinching the deal.
- 1if words do not pass your lips, you say nothing
- 2if food or drink does not pass your lips, you eat or drink nothing
to stop yourself from saying something or from showing an emotion
used to say that you will not repeat someone's secret to other people
if something is on everyone's lips, they are all talking about it
used to tell someone to listen carefully to what you are saying Read my lips: no new taxes (= I promise there will be no new taxes).
to keep calm and hide your feelings when you are in pain or in a difficult situation He was taught to keep a stiff upper lip and never to cry in public. Their reaction contrasts sharply with the stiff upper lip of the English.
nothing is completely certain until it really happens because things can easily go wrong
Check pronunciation: lip