Pursing

Pursing is the act of drawing the lips together, often creating a slight protrusion or a tighter, compressed shape. The term derives from the verb “to purse,” which originally described the gathering or folding of material, and was later applied to the movement of lips in the early 17th century. In contemporary use, pursing is most commonly observed as a facial expression and is examined in fields such as linguistics, psychology, and non‑verbal communication.

Physiologically, pursing involves the coordinated contraction of the orbicularis oris muscle, the primary muscle encircling the mouth. Small auxiliary muscles, including the risorius and buccinator, may also engage to adjust the tension and curvature of the lips. The motion can be brief, as in the momentary tightening before speech, or sustained, as in expressions of concentration, displeasure, or contemplation.

Psychologically, pursed lips are frequently interpreted as signaling disapproval, skepticism, or internal deliberation. In social contexts, observers may infer that an individual is withholding a response, evaluating information, or experiencing mild irritation. Conversely, slight pursing can reflect focus, such as when a speaker articulates sounds that require precise oral shaping.

In linguistic research, pursing is noted as a component of articulatory gestures for certain phonemes, particularly labial consonants and rounded vowels. The degree of lip rounding can influence acoustic properties, affecting vowel quality and intelligibility. Cultural variations exist; some societies view pursed lips as a polite sign of attention, while others may associate it more strongly with negative affect.