1 B1 informal
to draw your lips together and forward as if you are about to kiss someone
"The little girl puckered up for a kiss from her grandmother."
inseparable
pucker up
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
to press your lips together in a shape for kissing
In plain English
to make your lips ready for a kiss
What does "pucker up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
to make your lips tight and rounded in reaction to a sour taste or effort
"He puckered up after tasting the lemon juice."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Literally, the lips wrinkle or tighten upward.
Actually means
to make your lips ready for a kiss
Usage tip
Informal and often playful. Can be used literally or jokingly as an instruction.
Words that pair with "pucker up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
lips for a kiss baby camera photo mouth
How to conjugate "pucker up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pucker up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puckers up
he/she/it
Past simple
puckered up
yesterday
Past participle
puckered up
have + pp
-ing form
puckering up
continuous
Hear "pucker up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pucker up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pucker up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
form your lips kiss make a kissing face press your lips together purse your lips round your lips
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