Cunnilingus is the act of using the mouth and tongue to stimulate the female genitals, especially the clitoris. The term comes from an alternative Latin word for the vulva (cunnus) and from the Latin word for tongue (lingua). Less than one-third of women orgasm easily during the actual act of intercourse. Masturbation and cunnilingus are alternative ways for women to achieve orgasm with a partner. Most women can orgasm easily during clitoral or pubic area stimulation.

As in all human sexual behaviour, the variety of techniques in cunnilingus and individual responses to them are almost endless. As always, communication, experimentation and practice are the best way to learn how to please a particular partner.

• The most widespread form сunnilingus — kisses, licking, or lungs of the clitoris which can be accompanied by back and forth motions of fingers in a vagina.
• One of widespreades of сunnilingus means imitation of frictions by means of movement of language in a vagina. In this case additional stimulation of a vulva by a nose is possible (probable).
• As the special form сunnilingus designate so-called "hum", understanding under it (this) excitation of female genitals by means of a mouth of buzzing or growling sounds. Stimulating factor in this case is vibration of the lips pressed to a vulva.
• One of seldom met forms сunnilingus consists in excitation of a vulva by means of movement of a chin.

The clitoris is the most sensitive part for almost all women, but may be too sensitive to stimulate directly at times, especially in early stages of arousal, and it is often best to begin with a gentler, less focused stimulation of the labia and the whole genital area. Ron Jeremy has advised in several films that a clockwise, counterclockwise, all over the place approach is more important than focusing solely on the clitoris. Tongue tip, blade or underside can be used, as can the nose, chin, lips and teeth (with caution). Movements can be slow or fast, regular or erratic, firm or soft as the moment requires. The tongue can be inserted into the vagina, either stiffened or moving. Humming to cause vibration while performing cunnilingus is often considered to be especially arousing, with certain pitches, rhythms or tunes thought to be particularly effective by different people.

Cunnilingus is easily accompanied by the insertion of finger(s)("flicking the bean") or a sex toy into the vagina, which allows for the simultaneous stimulation of the g-spot, or into the anus, either of which many women find produce very intense sensations. Many other activities can accompany cunnilingus to enhance overall pleasure, limited only by preference, psychology and anatomy.

Cunnilingus is also sometimes referred to as "muff diving", "eating out", "rug-munching", "rocking the man in the boat" or "poon-job", a slang term and a cunnilingus variant of "blow-job" (see the section of Fellatio above), where "poon" is short for poontang or punani.

Additionally, in lesbian culture several common slang terms used are "giving lip," "lip service," or "tipping the velvet" (a faux-"Victorian" expression invented by novelist Sarah Waters).