lip-read

verb

ˈlip-ˌrēd How to pronounce lip-read (audio)
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
ˈlip-ˌrē-dər How to pronounce lip-read (audio)
noun

Examples of lip-read in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And the lip-reading subtitles kind of evolved even in postproduction. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2025 Investigations have also been known to call upon lip-reading experts to give evidence. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026 When the police call on Alison to lip-read the conversations of dangerous criminals, she is plunged into a high-stakes new world. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 15 May 2025 Every sideline conversation becomes body-language and lip-reading analysis. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026 In January, a different videographer captured close-up images of Robinson that the defense claimed could lead to lip-reading analysis. — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026 Rose Ayling-Ellis plays Alison Brooks, a deaf civilian working in a police canteen who is drawn into the investigation of a dangerous gang thanks to her lip-reading skills. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025 On this week’s Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel brings on Jimmy O’Brien, founder of Jomboy Media, to talk about baseball’s overhaul, how to become a lip-reading legend on YouTube, and why Americans love slow sports. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

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

Rhymes for lip-read

See All Rhymes for lip-read

Browse Nearby Words

lippy
lip-read
lipreading
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lip-read.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lip-read. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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