Definition of lisp
intransitive verb
1 : to pronounce the sibilants \s\ and \z\ imperfectly especially by turning them into \th\ and \th\
2 : to speak falteringly, childishly, or with a lisp
transitive verb
: to utter falteringly or with a lisp
lisper
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of lisp from the Web
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Cera is also doing a fun lisping impression of Brando while ponderously spouting off garbled nods to the actor’s filmography.
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One of the little girls handed her a copy to inscribe and lisped her name.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lisp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of lisp
Middle English, from Old English -wlyspian; akin to Old High German lispen to lisp
lisp
Definition of lisp
1 : a speech defect or affectation characterized by lisping
2 : a sound resembling a lisp
Examples of lisp in a Sentence
He spoke with a lisp.
Recent Examples of lisp from the Web
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Fortunately, the sailor, Humphrey Bogart, subsequently managed to eke out a pretty decent film career despite suffering a permanent scar and lisp as a result of the incident.
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Kevin’s 23 distinct alters include the effeminate fashionista Barry; the creepy neat freak Dennis; the matronly den mother Patricia; and an inquisitive, hip-hop-loving 9-year-old with a lisp named Hedwig.
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The Young Pope burns his tongue on his soup, and winds up with a lisp . .
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lisp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of lisp
circa 1625
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
LISP
playDefinition of LISP
: a computer programming language that is designed for easy manipulation of data and is used extensively for work in artificial intelligence
Recent Examples of lisp from the Web
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Fortunately, the sailor, Humphrey Bogart, subsequently managed to eke out a pretty decent film career despite suffering a permanent scar and lisp as a result of the incident.
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Kevin’s 23 distinct alters include the effeminate fashionista Barry; the creepy neat freak Dennis; the matronly den mother Patricia; and an inquisitive, hip-hop-loving 9-year-old with a lisp named Hedwig.
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The Young Pope burns his tongue on his soup, and winds up with a lisp . .
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'LISP.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of lisp
list processing
LISP Defined for English Language Learners
lisp
Definition of lisp for English Language Learners
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: a speech problem that causes someone to pronounce the letters “s” and “z” like “th”
LISP Defined for Kids
Definition of lisp for Students
lisped
;lisping
: to pronounce the sounds \s\ and \z\ as \th\ and \th\
Definition of lisp for Students
: the act or habit of pronouncing the sounds \s\ and \z\ as \th\ and \th\
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of lisp
1: to pronounce the sibilants \s\ and \z\ imperfectly especially by giving them the sounds \th\ and \th\
2: to speak with a lisp
transitive verb
: to utter with a lisp
lisp
Medical Definition of lisp
: a speech defect or affectation characterized by lisping
Learn More about lisp
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See words that rhyme with lisp Spanish Central: Translation of lisp Nglish: Translation of lisp for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lisp
Seen and Heard
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