Crossword answer · 3 letters
Lip definition and meaning
lip (/lɪp/) · noun
What does Lip mean?
A lip is either of the fleshy edges of the mouth. The word also means a projecting rim or edge and, informally, rude or defiant talk.
What does LIP mean in a crossword?
The NYT Midi clue “Back talk” uses the informal speech sense, giving LIP in three squares. A container clue can instead mean its rim; a body-part clue uses the physical sense. The surrounding clue decides, not the spelling alone.
Why is LIP useful to learn?
Read the clue's subject first: anatomy, a container, or attitude. A plural body-part clue normally needs LIPS, which has four letters rather than three.
Common clue patterns
- Either fleshy border of the mouth
- Edge of a drinking vessel
- Disrespectful answering back
These are editorially written pattern summaries, not a reproduced puzzle archive.
Other meanings to watch
Original usage examples: “A crumb stuck to his upper lip” names the body part. “Paint collected on the lip of the can” names an edge. “The teacher would not accept any lip” uses the informal, uncountable sense of insolent talk.