Definition

1. Verb:
   • To move one's lips in precise coordination with a pre-recorded audio track, such as speech or song, to give the appearance of speaking or singing live.

Usage

• The verb "lip-sync" describes the action of matching lip movements to a sound recording. It is often used in performance contexts (music, film, television) or as a recreational activity.
• It can be used transitively (e.g., ) or intransitively (e.g., ).
• The hyphenated form "lip-sync" is standard, though "lipsync" is also seen.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Many pop stars lip-sync during complex dance routines to ensure vocal quality.
  • The actor had to lip-sync his lines to a dialogue track recorded after filming.
  • She won the talent show by lip-syncing perfectly to a famous Broadway number.

Advanced Usage

• "to lip-sync for one's life": A phrase originating from the television show , meaning to perform a lip-sync with extreme effort and skill, typically when facing elimination from a competition.
  • The two contestants had to lip-sync for their lives to stay in the competition.

Variants and Related Words

• Lip-sync (noun): The act or an instance of lip-syncing.
  • Her lip-sync was so convincing, many thought it was live.
• Lip-syncer (noun): A person who lip-syncs.
• Lip-syncing (noun/gerund): The activity or skill of lip-syncing.
  • Lip-syncing has become a popular form of online entertainment.

Synonyms

• Mime: To act or perform using only movement, without speech. (Note: "Mime" is broader and often silent, while "lip-sync" specifically implies synchronization with audio.)
• Mouth: (informal) To form words with the lips silently or in imitation.

Related Phrases

• Playback performance/Playback singing: A term used in some film industries, notably Indian cinema, where actors lip-sync to songs pre-recorded by playback singers.
• Sync (short for synchronize): To cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate.

Verb

1. move the lips in synchronization (with recorded speech or song)