Lisp

/lɪsp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A speech defect resulting in the inability to pronounce sibilant sounds (such as 's' and 'z') correctly, often producing them as 'th' sounds.

The child's lisp made it difficult for him to say his name clearly.

A manner of speaking that has a lisp.

She spoke with a charming lisp that made her all the more endearing.

verb

To speak with a lisp.

He began to lisp after he lost his front teeth.

Middle English, from the Old English word 'wlispian' meaning 'to speak with a lisp'.

lisping child

A child who has a lisp.

speak with a lisp

To pronounce words in a manner that involves the lisp speech defect.

overcome a lisp

To improve or correct the speech defect associated with a lisp.

speech therapy

A type of therapy aimed at improving communication skills.

articulation

The physical production of particular speech sounds.

phonetics

The study of the sounds of human speech.

A term of affection or teasing for someone who has a lisp.

We call him 'lisping Larry' because he has the cutest lisp.

Used humorously to describe someone who speaks in a way that emphasizes sibilance.

She was lisping on purpose while imitating the character.