lip
gb/lˈɪp/ us/lˈɪp/
A1
English
~ 1500
ajak, szemtelenkedés, visszabeszélés, perem
NOUN
A1
1
ajak
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s lip
She put on red lipstick to color her lips.
Piros rúzst tett fel, hogy színt adjon az ajkainak.
His lower lip was trembling with fear.
Félelmében remegett az alsó ajka.
He bit his lip nervously before speaking.
The cold wind made her lips dry and cracked.
Learner examples
My lips are dry.
Száraz az ajkam.
He bit his lip.
Beleharapott az ajkába.
Her lips are red.
I put cream on my lips.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lip' with 'mouth'; 'mouth' refers to the whole opening, while 'lip' refers only to the outer edges.
Meaning
Soft edge of the mouth
Collocations
upper lip
|lower lip
|bite your lip
|lip balm
|lip gloss
Synonyms
mouth edge (A descriptive phrase rather than a single word; less commonly used.)
Antonyms
gum (Located inside the mouth, not at its edge.)
Themes
body
|appearance
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One of the two soft parts at the edge of your mouth.
Either of the two soft, movable edges forming the opening of the mouth.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
give [someone] lip
Don't give me any lip, young man!
Ne beszélj vissza nekem, fiatalember!
She got in trouble for giving her teacher lip.
Bajba került, mert visszabeszélt a tanárának.
He was known for his quick wit and occasional lip to his boss.
Learner examples
Don't give me lip.
Ne beszélj vissza nekem!
He gave the teacher lip.
Visszabeszélt a tanárnak.
She gave her mom lip.
Common mistake:
Learners may take 'lip' literally here; in this sense it refers to speech, not the body part.
Meaning
Rude talk or attitude
Collocations
give lip
|smart lip
|no lip
Synonyms
sass (Informal; often used in American English for cheeky or impudent talk.)
Antonyms
respect (Polite and deferential speech or behavior.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
Definition
Rude or disrespectful words or behavior toward someone, often in authority.
Disrespectful or cheeky speech or behavior toward someone in authority.
NOUN
B2
3
perem
B1
Usage pattern:
the lip of [something]
He rested his coffee cup on the table's lip.
Az asztal peremére tette a kávéscsészéjét.
They stood at the lip of the volcano, looking down into the crater.
A vulkán peremén álltak, és lenéztek a kráterbe.
The skateboarder balanced on the lip of the ramp.
Learner examples
I drink from the lip of the cup.
A csésze pereménél iszom.
He stood at the lip of the hole.
A gödör peremén állt.
The ball rolled to the lip of the basket.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'rim'; while similar, 'lip' often implies a slight projection outward or upward.
Meaning
Edge or rim of an object
Collocations
lip of a cup
|lip of a crater
|lip of the stage
Synonyms
rim (General term for the outer edge of a circular object; not always raised.)
Antonyms
center (The middle part, away from any edge.)
Themes
objects
|geometry
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The raised edge around something, like a cup or a hole.
A raised or projecting edge around something, such as a container or surface.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lip
IPA
GB/lˈɪp/
US/lˈɪp/
Syllables & stress
lip (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lip)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lip
- Plural: lip, lips
Word family
Forms
lips
noun
Related words
lipstick
noun
lip-reading
noun
lip-read
verb
Expressions
bite your lip
1/bˈaɪt jˈʊɹ lˈɪp/
idiom
Hold back words or emotion
To press your lip between your teeth to stop yourself from speaking or to hide your feelings.
Examples
- She bit her lip to keep from crying.
- He bit his lip, trying not to laugh.
lip service
1/lˈɪp sˈɚvɪs/
idiom
Support only in words, not actions
When someone says they support something but does nothing to help it happen.
Examples
- The company pays lip service to protecting the environment but does little in practice.
- Politicians often give lip service to education reform.
read my lips
1/ɹˈid mˈaɪ lˈɪps/
idiom
informal
Listen carefully to what I say
Used to tell someone to listen carefully because you mean exactly what you say.
Examples
- Read my lips: you are not going out tonight.
- Read my lips—no new taxes.
keep a stiff upper lip
1/kˈip ə stˈɪf ˈʌpɚ lˈɪp/
fixed phrase
Stay brave and unemotional
To not show your feelings when something bad happens.
Examples
- Even after losing his job, he kept a stiff upper lip.
- She tried to keep a stiff upper lip during the crisis.
keep a stiff upper lip
1/kˈip ə stˈɪf ˈʌpɚ lˈɪp/
fixed phrase
stay unemotional and brave
to stay calm and not complain
Examples
- She kept a stiff upper lip through the whole ordeal.
- He told the kids to keep a stiff upper lip and focus on what they could do next.
Learner examples
- I will try to keep a stiff upper lip.
keep a stiff upper lip
2/kˈip ə stˈɪf ˈʌpɚ lˈɪp/
fixed phrase
Not show emotion under stress
To not show feelings when something bad happens.
Examples
- Even after losing his job, he kept a stiff upper lip.
- She kept a stiff upper lip during the crisis.