First published 2021
zip-lippedadjective
Factsheet
What does the adjective zip-lipped mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zip-lipped. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
Where does the adjective zip-lipped come from?
Earliest known use
1940s
The earliest known use of the adjective zip-lipped is in the 1940s.
OED's earliest evidence for zip-lipped is from 1943, in Greenville (Ohio) Daily Advocate.
Nearby entries
- zip gun, n.1914–
- Ziph, n.1834–
- ziphian, n. & adj.1896
- ziphiiform, adj.1891
- ziphioid, adj. & n.1861–
- zipless, adj.1922–
- zip line, n.1970–
- zip line, v.1998–
- zipliner, n.1993–
- zip lining, n.?1983–
- zip-lipped, adj.1943–
- ziplock, n.1928–
- zipped, adj.1931–
- zippeite, n.1850–
- zipper, n.1923–
- zipper, v.1927–
- zippered, adj.1926–
- zipper foot, n.1938–
- zipperhead, n.1967–
- zipper problem, n.1985–
- Zippie, n.¹1968–
Meaning & use
- 1943–Having the lips tightly closed, esp. as a sign of suppressed emotion or determined reticence; (chiefly figurative) uncommunicative, determinedly reticent; cf. tight-lipped adj.
- 1943
War Department Zip-Lipped About Army-Navy Game... The War Department had 'no comment' today regarding published reports.
Greenville (Ohio) Daily Advocate 23 July 5/3 - 1982
Stony-faced owners, zip-lipped owners..tend to have dull, disobedient dogs.
B. Woodhouse, No Bad Dogs (1992) xii. 63 - 2019
Information about his two grandchildren is rationed... These are the zip-lipped instincts of a former KGB officer.
Times (Nexis) 28 September (Sat. Review) 16
- dumbOld English–Intentionally silent; refraining from speech; declining to speak out (with connotations of being ineffectual or powerless); taciturn, reticent. Also…
- unspeakinga1382–Not speaking; unable to speak. Also figurative.
- speechless1390–Refraining from speech; keeping or observing silence; silent. Also, reticent, taciturn.
- mutec1400–Of a person: unable to speak; unable to communicate through speech owing to a congenital or pathological condition. Now offensive.
- closea1425–Unwilling or reluctant to speak about something or openly express one's true thoughts, feelings, and motivations; reticent, secretive…
- silenta1425–Of a person: keeping or maintaining silence; refraining from or tending to refrain from speech or utterance; unable to speak.
- peaceablec1425–1826Not noisy or talkative; not restless; restrained or disciplined in behaviour. Obsolete.
- secretc1440–Of a person: †Reserved or reticent in conduct or conversation (obsolete); not given to indiscreet talking or the revelation of secrets; silent as…
- of few wordsa1500–of few words: not given to lengthy speaking, or to much speech; taciturn; laconic.
- tongue-tied1529–figurative. Restrained or debarred from speaking or free expression from any cause; speechless, mute, dumb, silent; also reticent, reserved.
- mum1532–colloquial. Strictly silent; mute; not saying a word. Esp. in to keep (also †play) mum: to remain silent, esp. so as not to reveal a secret…
- strait-laced1546–1691figurative. Of persons: Shut up within oneself, uncommunicative, morose, unsympathetic. Obsolete.
- tongue-dumb1556–
- incommunicable1568–Not communicative; incommunicative.
- sparing1568–Characterized by reticence or restraint in discourse or statement.
- inconversable1577–Not conversable; †unsociable (obsolete); not disposed to converse, uncommunicative.
- retentive1599–Restrictive of oneself in expressing something; restrained in speech or behaviour; reticent; reserved. Now rare.
- wordless1604–Not expressed in words; unspoken, unuttered.
- mumbudget1622–41Silent, mute; = mum, adj. Obsolete.
- uncommunicable1628Uncommunicative. Obsolete. rare.
- monastica1631–Resembling or suggestive of monks, their way of life, or their environment; austere, silent, secluded.
- word-bound1644–Constrained or limited in respect of words; esp. unable to use words freely or fluently. Now rare.
- on (also upon) the reserve1655–1855on (also upon) the reserve: (a) In a waiting attitude, in waiting; (b) reserved; reticent. Obsolete.
- strait-mouthed1664Reticent, uncommunicative.
- oyster-like1665–Resembling an oyster; esp. (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative (staying inside one's ‘shell’).
- incommunicative1670–Not communicative; not disposed for intercourse or conversation; uncommunicative.
- mumchance1681–Silent, mute; tongue-tied. Frequently in to sit (also stand, etc.) mumchance.
- taciturnous1727= taciturn, adj.
- tongue-tacked1727–= tongue-tied, adj. (literal and figurative).
- monosyllabic1735–Of a person: speaking in monosyllables; uttering few or brief words, esp. as indicative of a reluctance to engage in conversation.
- silentish1737–Almost silent; very quiet.
- untalkative1739–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- silentious1749–Given to silence; taciturn, reticent.
- buttoned-up1767–Of a person: reluctant to reveal emotion or to express thoughts freely; reserved, inhibited, or formal in manner or disposition; unforthcoming…
- taciturn1771–Characterized by silence or disinclination to conversation; reserved in speech; saying little; uncommunicative.
- close as wax1772–Phrases: close as wax, tight as wax, neat as wax; to stick (to one) like wax; to fit like wax.
- untittletattling1779–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- conventual1789–Characteristic of, resembling, or suggestive of a convent, esp. in being austere, strict, secluded, silent, pure, etc. Cf. monastic, adj. A.2b.
- reticent1825–Reluctant or disinclined to speak out or express personal thoughts and feelings freely; reserved in speech; given to silence or concealment.
- voiceless1827–More generally: without a right or power to express feelings or opinions; silent.
- say-nothing1838–In adjectives formed from the verb with an indefinite pronoun as object, as say-anything, say-nothing, etc., with the sense ‘that says —…
- unremonstrant1841–Not remonstrant.
- still1855–Silent. Habitually silent, taciturn. Phrase, to keep a still tongue in one's head.
- unvocal1858–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- inexpansive186.–Not expansive.
- non-communicating1865–Not offering access from one place, area of interest, etc., to another.
- tight-lipped1876–Having the lips firmly closed, esp. as a sign of determined suppression of emotion; also transferred and figurative. Also, determinedly reticent or…
- unworded1886–Lacking words; silent. rare.
- chup1896–Quiet, silent. Frequently in to keep chup: to be quiet; to avoid talking about something secret or controversial, ‘to keep mum’.
- tongue-bound1906–
- shut-mouthed1936–
- zip-lipped1943–Having the lips tightly closed, esp. as a sign of suppressed emotion or determined reticence; (chiefly figurative) uncommunicative, determinedly…
- shtum1958–Silent; quiet; not saying a word. Esp. in to keep (or stay) shtum.
the mind operation of the mind knowledge secrecy, concealment [adjectives] disposed to secrecy, secretive- dernOld English–1540Of persons: Secret in purpose or action; reserved, close; hence, underhand, sly, crafty. Obsolete.
- covert1340–1673Of persons: Not open, close, secretive; sly, deceitful. Obsolete.
- secrec1385–1412Of a person: Reserved or reticent in conduct or conversation; close, discreet.
- closea1425–Unwilling or reluctant to speak about something or openly express one's true thoughts, feelings, and motivations; reticent, secretive…
- secretc1440–Of a person: †Reserved or reticent in conduct or conversation (obsolete); not given to indiscreet talking or the revelation of secrets; silent as…
- mum1532–colloquial. Strictly silent; mute; not saying a word. Esp. in to keep (also †play) mum: to remain silent, esp. so as not to reveal a secret…
- whist1577–Keeping silence in relation to something; saying nothing about the matter.
- as silent as the grave and variants: refraining from or not making any sound; (of a person) discreet, secretive; (of a place) hushed, completely…
- privatea1625–1824Of a person: secretive, reticent; discreet, dependable in confidential matters. Obsolete.
- dark1650–Of a person: secretive; inclined to conceal feelings or intentions; silent or reticent about a particular thing; not open. to keep dark about (somet…
- uncommunicating1650–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- coy1654–Affecting reluctance to provide information or further details (about a matter); not forthcoming.
- dry1681Of persons: Miserly, stingy; reserved, uncommunicative. (Cf. A.I.4) Obsolete.
- uncommunicative1691–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- unexpansive1847–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- secretive1853–Of persons, their feelings, habits, etc.: Addicted or inclined to secrecy; reticent; not frank or open.
- tight-lipped1876–Having the lips firmly closed, esp. as a sign of determined suppression of emotion; also transferred and figurative. Also, determinedly reticent or…
- cagey1909–Not forthcoming, reticent, wary, non-committal.
- zip-lipped1943–Having the lips tightly closed, esp. as a sign of suppressed emotion or determined reticence; (chiefly figurative) uncommunicative, determinedly…
- closet1948–Secret, covert; esp. not open about something concerning oneself which, if revealed, could cause problems or embarrassment. Sometimes ironic, with…
- tight1977–Of such close texture or construction as to be impervious to a fluid, etc. transferred and figurative leading to 3. Uncommunicative; secret; spec. Oi…