pouting

Pouting is a facial expression in which a person protrudes the lips, typically the lower lip, and may accompany a furrowed brow or a held breath. It is a nonverbal cue used in social communication that can signal displeasure, sadness, annoyance, or a desire for attention. The movement is produced by facial muscles around the mouth, notably the mentalis muscle that elevates and protrudes the lower lip, often in concert with other muscles that shape the lips and chin.

Pouting can be voluntary or reflexive. In children it is a common way to express displeasure or to elicit a response from caregivers; in adults it may be used playfully, flirtatiously, or as a tentative social signal. The interpretation of a pout depends on context, duration, and accompanying cues such as tone of voice, posture, and eye contact. In some cultures it can be read as petulance, while in others it may be seen as a lighthearted gesture.

In contemporary culture, a pursed-lip look is sometimes described as a pout or, in selfies, a related aesthetic known as the duck face. Pouting is distinct from longer-term sulking or whining, though it may occur alongside those states as part of a broader mood display.