lips pursed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lips pursed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You may use it to describe a facial expression, often indicating disapproval or disagreement. For example, "The teacher folded her arms and pursed her lips disapprovingly at the misbehaving children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Lips pursed.

The New York Times

Will's lips pursed slightly.

The New York Times - Magazine

His lips pursed.

The New York Times

Lips pursed, Miss Hepburn appraised my setup.

The New York Times - Magazine

His lips pursed, his eyebrows narrowed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Merkel nods, her lips pursed.

The New York Times

Lips pursed, she deflected questions about her future.

The New York Times

Mr Kondoh watched, his arms crossed and his lips pursed.

Independent

"All this damage," she said, her lips pursed.

The New York Times

"That's already been handled," said Rodriguez, his lips pursed.

The New York Times - Sports

Lips pursed, he nodded and said, "Mm-hmm".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lips pursed" to subtly convey a character's internal state, such as disapproval, concentration, or suppressed emotion, adding depth to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "lips pursed" to describe a character's reactions in quick succession during a conversation. This can become repetitive and distracting for the reader. Instead, vary your descriptions with other facial expressions or body language cues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lips pursed" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It adds detail about a person's appearance and hints at their emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lips pursed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a facial expression, typically indicating disapproval, concentration, or suppressed emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in dialogue-heavy scenes to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "tight-lipped" or "compressed lips" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursed mouth

Highlights the shape of the mouth, often associated with disapproval or contemplation.

compressed lips

Emphasizes the act of pressing the lips together, indicating suppressed emotion.

tight-lipped

Focuses on the tightness of the lips, suggesting restraint or disapproval.

drawing the lips in

Describes the action of pulling the lips inward, suggesting hesitation or skepticism.

turning down the corners of the mouth

Focuses on the downturned mouth, indicating sadness or disapproval.

with a moue

Implies a pout or slight grimace, conveying displeasure or petulance.

a tight smile

Highlights the insincerity or tension behind a forced smile.

with pinched features

Describes the overall facial expression, including pursed lips and other signs of disapproval.

making a face

A more general term for expressing emotion through facial contortions.

holding back a reaction

Focuses on the act of suppressing an emotional response, often reflected in facial expression.

FAQs

How can I use "lips pursed" in a sentence?

You can use "lips pursed" to describe a subtle facial expression indicating disapproval, concentration, or contemplation. For example, "She listened to the proposal, "lips pursed", and said nothing."

What does it mean when someone has their "lips pursed"?

When someone's "lips pursed", it often indicates they are thinking deeply, disagreeing with something, or trying to contain their emotions. It's a subtle way of expressing reservation or disapproval.

What are some alternative ways to describe "lips pursed"?

Instead of saying "lips pursed", you could say "tight-lipped", "compressed lips", or "pursed mouth" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lips pursed"?

Yes, "lips pursed" is a grammatically correct phrase often used as a descriptive element in writing. You might see it in sentences like, "With "lips pursed", she considered her options."