lisp

¹ American  

[lisp] / lɪsp /

noun

1. Phonetics.

   1. the systematic articulation of s and z in a forward, dental position, like th- sounds, as a manifestation of a speech disorder or a stylistic affectation.

   2. any unconventional articulation of the sibilants, as the pronunciation of s and z with the tongue between the teeth lingual protrusion lisp, close to or touching the upper front teeth dental lisp, or raised so that the breath is emitted laterally lateral lisp.

2. the act, habit, or sound of lisping.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to pronounce or speak with a lisp.

2. to speak imperfectly, especially in a childish manner.

LISP ² American  

[lisp] / lɪsp /

noun

Computers.

1. a high-level programming language that processes data in the form of lists: widely used in artificial intelligence applications.

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lisp ¹ British  

/ lɪsp /

noun

1. the articulation of s and z like or nearly like the th sounds in English thin and then respectively

2. the habit or speech defect of pronouncing s and z in this manner

3. the sound of a lisp in pronunciation

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verb

1. to use a lisp in the pronunciation of (speech)

2. to speak or pronounce imperfectly or haltingly

LISP ² British  

/ lɪsp /

noun

1. a high-level computer-programming language suitable for work in artificial intelligence

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Other Word Forms

• lisper noun
• lisping adjective
• lispingly adverb
• unlisping adjective

Etymology

Origin of lisp¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English wlispen, lipsen, Old English āwlyspian; akin to Dutch lisp(el)en, German lispeln, Norwegian leipsa

Origin of LISP²

lis(t) p(rocessing)

Explanation

A lisp is a manner of speaking so that s and other similar consonants are blurred into more of a th- sound. Most little kids have a bit of a lisp when they first start speaking. If you speak with a lisp, you can also say that you tend to lisp — and if you lisp in a way that makes it hard for people to understand what you're saying, you can visit a speech therapist who will teach you to speak without a lisp. Sometimes dental work — braces, or a mouth that's numb from having cavities filled — can give you a temporary lisp. Lisp comes from the imitative Old English wlisp.

Example Sentences

They were specifically made to preserve his natural lisp and so important he carried two sets with him at all times.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2024

Ferrera: What was the inspiration for the lisp?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2023

When I was a kid, I started doing elocution lessons because I had a really bad lisp.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2023

Moore employs a subtle, impeccable lisp in Gracie’s voice; Portman studiously echoes it.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2023

It’s hard to resist her cute lisp, but Sandi says she has a better idea.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez