E
Eric001
Senior Member
Beijing
Chinese-Beijing
- Apr 19, 2010
- #1
Hi, everyone
What is the difference between pucker one's lips and purse one's lips? I mean the actions involved. And do you use "purse" in this meaning a lot?
Thank you.
M
mnolan90
Member
Salamanca, Spain
English - Ireland
- Apr 19, 2010
- #2
I can´t say for certain, but I think that if you "pucker " your lips, you are generally preparing for a kiss, and to "purse" them is just to push them forward for any reason, for example to put on lipstick or make a face.
That´s always the impression I got anyway! To be honest I don´t think I´ve ever used either phrase!
E
Eric001
Senior Member
Beijing
Chinese-Beijing
- Apr 19, 2010
- #3
Thanks, mnolan90. Sometimes I don't understand why English has this many words of which Nobody can and need to remember and use.
AngelEyes
Senior Member
Detroit, Michigan
English - United States
- Apr 19, 2010
- #4
You ask an interesting question because both words mean to press your lips together in a forward pout.
I guess it's a matter of style and conditioning from what we've been taught, too, so the answers you receive will be highly individualized.
When I hear the word pucker, the picture in my mind is one of a little more exaggeration of the movement. To pucker your lips to kiss someone, I'd expect them to smack you on the mouth because I use the word pucker to be less romantic an action than something else.
But to purse your lips and press them against another's lips is a slower, more seductive action.
Again, you get basically the same result, but both the action and the intention has subtle but very strong differences in my mind.
Others will probably have totally different opinions, and some may say there is no difference.
I never pucker or purse when I put on lipstick because you need a smooth surface to apply it correctly.
I also agree that you can purse your lips for other reasons besides kissing.
The more I think about it, the easier it is for me to understand your confusion.
panjandrum
Senior Member
Belfast, Ireland
English-Ireland (top end)
- Apr 19, 2010
- #5
Just to illustrate the individual answers
I think of pucker for kissing, purse for disapproval.
AngelEyes
Senior Member
Detroit, Michigan
English - United States
- Apr 19, 2010
- #6
panjandrum said:
...purse for disapproval.
Hmm, maybe it's just me.
But if you read, "She pursed her lips and pressed them to his forehead."
What adverb would come to mind to describe the press of that kiss?
For me, it would be tenderly, sweetly, slowly.
If you read, "She puckered her lips and..."
What? Pressed?
Wouldn't you use another verb here? Pucker conjures up a less romantic image in my mind.
For instance, "...and smacked him/them on his forehead."
And wouldn't different adverbs come to mind also?
For me: playfully, kiddingly, quickly, innocently
See? These are the differences I was talking about.
Sorry, Eric. No wonder you get confused!
E
Eric001
Senior Member
Beijing
Chinese-Beijing
- Apr 19, 2010
- #7
Thank you. AngelEyes and panjandrum, I am getting more confused thanks to your explanation. But it is quite understandable-you live an ocean away but the two lips meet a million times a day. I mean that is what language is like, it is something that makes sense to a group of people who live not far.
O
omgoodness
New Member
English
- Feb 4, 2011
- #8
Pursing one's lips is when lips are pushed forward and is often used by celebrities/stars to make their lips appear fuller or to look sexy.
Puckered lips are more exaggerated than pursed lips. Generally one puckers, sticks their lips out in exaggerated purse, to indicate they want a kiss or are preparing to kiss. The term "pucker up" refers to this kissing movement. However, ones lips also 'pucker' when one has eaten something particularly sour or tart like lemons.
M
mokinga
Member
Australia
Polish
- Feb 5, 2011
- #9
In my experience, "to pucker one's lips" means to pout them out as if about to kiss, while "to purse one's lips" is to press your lips tightly in a round shape often to show disapproval or anger. To me, pursed lips can often be accompanied by a frown or a 'hmmm' sound or any other indication of disapproval. I don't think that 'puckered lips' are used in such circumstances.
M
marvo1959
New Member
English UK
- Jun 20, 2011
- #10
In English English as opposed to American English the two words have different meanings; to pucker is to push the lips forward, as if to kiss; to purse one’s lips is to stiffen the lips by pressing them together and drawing them back as if to reproach. The reason that English has so many words is because used correctly it can precisely describe almost anything, painting a picture with words.
You must log in or register to reply here.