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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
One wonders what kind of passion project was possibly worth facing off against Hank Azaria as a lisping Egyptian king complete with ancient headgear. Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024 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
Noun
Hezbollah played on the popularity of Nasrallah, a skilled orator who spoke with a lisp and would crack the occasional joke and use slang. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2024 Nasrallah, who often invoked both God and guns with a distinctive lisp, wore a black turban signifying his descent from the Prophet Muhammad. Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lisp 

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 30 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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