lip-sync

American  

[lip-singk] / ˈlɪpˌsɪŋk /

Or lipsynch,

verb (used with or without object)

1. to synchronize (recorded sound) with lip movements, as of an actor in a film.

2. to match lip movements with (recorded speech or singing).

   She did a clumsy job of lip-syncing her big song.

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noun

1. the technical process by which this is done.

2. the simultaneous recording of voice and picture, especially the synchronization of lip movements with recorded sound.

Etymology

Origin of lip-sync

First recorded in 1960–65

Explanation

To lip-sync is to silently mouth the words along with a song or some other recording. So grab a candlestick, crank the music, and lip-sync while you bust moves around the living room like Tom Cruise in "Risky Business." Sync here is short for synchronization, from the Greek synkhronizein, "occur at the same time." Synchronization was first used in the movie biz, referring to getting the pictures and sound matched up. Still, actors often lip-sync — if it's done well, it looks like it's the actor who's singing. Bollywood films are almost always made this way. The best part of lip-syncing is the dance moves.

Example Sentences

Ashlee Simpson, it was clear, intended to lip sync, which sort of implied to casual observers that she couldn’t sing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

“I remember when I talked to Ron and I was like ‘Ron, I really think I should lip sync.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2025

The song has lingered in pop culture, from a lip sync battle between Jimmy Fallon and Melissa McCarthy to a post-apocalyptic DJ playing it endlessly on “Kids in the Hall.”

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

Some Chinese social media users questioned why Mayday is being singled out when many performers, even those who appear on state television, are believed to lip sync.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2023

Why would this guy ever agree to lip sync?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2023

Related Words

• coincide
• compare
• conform
• correlate
• dovetail
• harmonize
• resemble
• tally