lisp

1 of 3

verb

lisped; lisping; lisps

intransitive verb

1
: to pronounce the sibilants \s\ and \z\ imperfectly especially by turning them into \th\ and \t͟h\
2
: to speak falteringly, childishly, or with a lisp

transitive verb

: to utter falteringly or with a lisp
lisper noun

lisp

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a speech defect or affectation characterized by lisping
2
: a sound resembling a lisp

LISP

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a computer programming language that is designed for easy manipulation of symbols that represent data and instructions and is used extensively for work in artificial intelligence

Examples of lisp in a Sentence

Noun (1) He spoke with a lisp.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But there are enough hints that his parlor tricks are wearing thin on some (Lee, who lisps and mocks him to Albert, in particular). Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2024 Max Cadillac aces his biggest Moonlight role to date as Roger’s lisping common-law assistant Carmen Ghia. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2019
Noun
While wearing their units, some clients may speak with a lisp. Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 5 Aug. 2024 With his raspy vocals and slight lisp, he’s become one of the most promising artists in música mexicana over the past year. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for lisp 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lisp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English -wlyspian; akin to Old High German lispen to lisp

Noun (2)

list processing

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lisp was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lisp

Cite this Entry

“Lisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lisp. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

lisp

1 of 2 verb
: to pronounce the sounds \s\ and \z\ in an imperfect way by giving them the sounds of \th\ and \t͟h\
lisper noun

lisp

2 of 2 noun
: the act or habit of lisping

Medical Definition

lisp

1 of 2 intransitive verb
1
: to pronounce the sibilants \s\ and \z\ imperfectly especially by giving them the sounds \th\ and \t͟h\
2
: to speak with a lisp

transitive verb

: to utter with a lisp

lisp

2 of 2 noun
: a speech defect or affectation characterized by lisping

More from Merriam-Webster on lisp

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