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
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 Paul Shaffer cackled from behind a keyboard in shades; baritoned redhead Alan Kalter introduced guests; there were videos of stupid pet tricks and a befuddled, lisping Larry Bud Melman. John Clarke, HWD, 23 Oct. 2017 Cera is also doing a fun lisping impression of Brando while ponderously spouting off garbled nods to the actor’s filmography. Joanna Robinson, HWD, 23 May 2017 One of the little girls handed her a copy to inscribe and lisped her name. Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2017
Noun
Moore had to find the distinct aspects of Gracie's vocal cadence (even in her older age, the character notably, and at times uncomfortably slips in and out of a childish lisp) and Portman had to determine the physicality that Elizabeth could begin to subtly appropriate. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 Sep. 2023 While Gracie speaks with a lisp, Joe talks with a stutter — both indicators of stunted childhoods, or pieces of performative victimhood? EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023 Not in the strictest sense, but his dentures will be on the block on February 6 at the Cotswold Auction Company in scenic Cheltenham, a spa town in the U.K. Designed by his dentist, Wilfred Fish, and made around 1939, they were constructed to protect Churchill’s natural — and distinctive — lisp. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 27 Jan. 2024 As a result, Moore decided that Gracie needed a lisp. Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024 At that press conference, director Haynes said Moore, 62, took some inspiration from Letourneau when building the character, including giving Gracie a noticeable lisp. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2024 The latter version became a massive international hit, which showcased the voice (and endearing lisp) of soloist Ricardo Cuenci, who was only 8 years old at the time of recording. Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023 One example is their voices, as Gracie has a noticeable lisp that fluctuates throughout the film. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 Dec. 2023 Director Todd Haynes said during the press conference that Moore, 62, took some inspiration from Letourneau when building the character, including giving Gracie a noticeable lisp. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 30 Sep. 2023

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 28 Mar. 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

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