lisped; lisping; lisps
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
: to utter falteringly or with a lisp
lisper
noun
1
: a speech defect or affectation characterized by lisping
2
: a sound resembling a lisp
: 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
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
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
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
His character Doug Whitmore, a protein shake-obsessed bodybuilder, has a distinct lisp — a characteristic that Astin reveals he was not initially sold on.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lisp 
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
Not only the lisping child, but those whose frames are bowed down by the weight of time, worship around the Christmas shrine, and are willing devotees to its vivifying delights.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
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
Noun
And her voice ended up even having a little bit of a lisp at times.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
His character Doug Whitmore, a protein shake-obsessed bodybuilder, has a distinct lisp — a characteristic that Astin reveals he was not initially sold on.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lisp
Dictionary Entries Near lisp
Cite this Entry
“Lisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lisp. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: to pronounce the sibilants \s\ and \z\ imperfectly especially by giving them the sounds \th\ and \t͟h\
2
: to speak with a lisp
: to utter with a lisp
lisp
2 of 2 noun
: a speech defect or affectation characterized by lisping
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share