with parted lips

USAGE SUMMARY

"with parted lips" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is slightly opening their mouth, often in a state of surprise, anticipation, or desire. Example: She stood there, with parted lips, waiting for his response. Alternative expressions include "with lips slightly open" and "with lips ajar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Stateliness was paired with subtlety of detail: delicate headdresses of women, transparent garments, mouths with parted lips uncovering the teeth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She is half-turned toward the artist, with parted lips and a limpid gaze, virginal yet inviting, at least of reverie.

The New Yorker

Was he basically free of wants, needs, and everything else? Did he wonder at the food miraculously appearing atop the surface tension, food to be approached with parted lips?

The New Yorker

Sculptured in Hellenistic style, with parted lips and skyward gaze, his head is crowned with a laurel wreath set atop tightly curled long hair; he wears a short shaggy-curly beard.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Shopbop also frequently features a come-hither brunette, Iskra Stoycheva, a Bulgarian-born resident of Milwaukee who has been working for the site for seven years and is often shown with slightly parted lips.

The New York Times

His face, with its parted lips and speaking eyes, is all open-ended suggestion, but his gloved hand touches the gleaming breastplate with a declaratory gesture – myself, here, now – repeated in the exquisitely painted reflection.

The Guardian - Arts

Every detail of the figure, from her stylishly filed teeth to the elaborate pattern of raised scars on her skin, would seem to confirm, in African terms, her status as a social and moral ideal, while Western viewers may read, in her Madonna-like pose and upturned face, with its parted lips and half-closed eyes, an expression of maternal joy.

The New York Times - Arts

The statue "The Ecstasy of St. Teresa" by Giovanni Bernini could easily be portraying — with the figure's parted lips, closed eyes, face gone slack in surrender either the face of a woman in orgasm or a saint in the thrall of God.

Huffington Post

With her huge eyes and parted lips, Hepburn may have looked for a moment like the face of the 1960s.

The Guardian - Film

Princess Grace herself is played by Nicole Kidman, wafting around the Palace with dewy-eyed features and slightly parted lips which make her look like a grown-up Bambi after a couple of cocktails, suddenly remembering his mother's violent death in the forest.

The Guardian - Film

Metallic paint drips from parted lips.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with parted lips" to vividly depict a character's reaction to something surprising, sensual, or awe-inspiring, adding depth to your descriptions. For instance, "She stood there, with parted lips, as the magician revealed the final trick."

Common error

Avoid assuming "with parted lips" always implies a come-hither look. The context is crucial; it could indicate surprise, fear, or even simple speechlessness. Ensure the surrounding text clarifies the intended emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with parted lips" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which someone is doing something or their state of being. It adds descriptive detail about their appearance, enriching the narrative. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with parted lips" is a descriptive element employed to paint a picture of someone's expression. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it commonly suggests surprise, anticipation, or eagerness across different sources such as news, encyclopedias, and wikis. However, the context plays a vital role in accurately interpreting the intended emotion. While grammatically correct and versatile, ensure your usage aligns with the desired tone, keeping in mind potential misinterpretations. Consider similar options like "with slightly open mouth" for subtler expressions or "with a breathless expression" to imply a reason for the parted lips.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with slightly open mouth

Focuses on the degree of openness, emphasizing a more subtle expression.

with ajar lips

Uses 'ajar' to specify the lips are slightly open, suggesting incompleteness or vulnerability.

with lips slightly ajar

Combines 'slightly' with 'ajar' for a more nuanced description of the lips' position.

with mouth slightly open

Shifts focus to the entire mouth, rather than just the lips, implying a broader expression.

lips slightly separated

Highlights the separation between the lips, focusing on the physical aspect.

with breathless expression

Implies the reason the lips are parted is due to being out of breath, changing the emotional context.

with expectant lips

Adds an element of anticipation to the expression conveyed by parted lips.

with a look of surprise

Conveys parted lips as a reaction to shock, diverting from a neutral description.

mouth agape

Describes a wide-open mouth often associated with shock or wonder.

with an eager expression

Suggests a strong desire or anticipation reflected in the facial expression including open mouth.

FAQs

How can I use "with parted lips" in a sentence?

You can use "with parted lips" to describe someone's expression, often suggesting surprise, anticipation, or awe. For example, "She watched the sunset, with parted lips, mesmerized by the vibrant colors."

What does "with parted lips" usually imply?

The phrase generally suggests a state of openness, either physical or emotional. It can indicate surprise, eagerness, or even speechlessness, depending on the context. Consider similar expressions such as "with slightly open mouth" or "with ajar lips".

Is "with parted lips" a formal or informal expression?

"With parted lips" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, as it's a descriptive phrase rather than a colloquialism. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding context than the phrase itself.

What are some alternative ways to describe someone "with parted lips"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use phrases like "with slightly open mouth", "lips slightly separated", or "with a breathless expression". The best choice depends on the intended emotion and context.