lip-read

verb

lip-read ˈlip-ˌred How to pronounce lip-read (audio) ; lip-reading ˈlip-ˌrē-diŋ How to pronounce lip-read (audio)

transitive verb

: to understand by lipreading

intransitive verb

: to use lipreading
lip-reader noun

Examples of lip-read in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The actresses — who were the target of separate lip-reading rumors at the Golden Globes last weekend — poked fun at all the commotion online by posing for a cheeky photo together at the 2023 American Film Institute Awards in Los Angeles on Friday. EW.com, 13 Jan. 2024 The idea that there was a snub gained traction Monday when people on the internet, as well as Freeman, whom Page Six identified Monday as a lip-reading expert, viewed one or more of the video clips that have been circulating on social media. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024 The Broadway vet proceeds to show off her lip-reading skills by reading the lips of attorny Kristin VanOrman and Gwyneth Paltrow from the actress’ 2023 ski collision trial. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2024 Jacob Elordi lip-reads celebrities including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce On a mock TV entertainment news show, two hosts brought on Elordi and SNL cast member Bowen Yang as professional lip-readers with hilariously bad interpretations of celebrity moments. TIME, 21 Jan. 2024 Emily Blunt got caught up in lip-reading speculation, too, and the actors joked about it together at the American Film Institute Awards. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2024 The exchange was inaudible, however lip-reading fans on the internet are convinced that the Only Murders in the Building actress was telling Swift that the Kardashians star had said no to Gomez’s request for a photo with Chalamet. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Jan. 2024 Judge your lip-reading skills below to see if the claims hold up. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 That player has to guess the song, turning it into a lip-reading challenge. Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lip-read was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near lip-read

Cite this Entry

“Lip-read.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lip-read. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

lip-read

verb
ˈlip-ˌrēd
lip-read
-ˌred
; lip-reading
-ˌrēd-iŋ
: to use lipreading to understand a speaker's words
lip-reader
-ˌrēd-ər
noun

Medical Definition

lip-read

verb
lip-read -ˌred How to pronounce lip-read (audio) ; lip-reading -ˌrēd-iŋ How to pronounce lip-read (audio)

transitive verb

: to understand by lipreading

intransitive verb

: to use lipreading
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