# lisp

/ˈɫɪsp/ (US) · /lˈɪsp/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lisp
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

a way of speaking where someone has trouble making 's' and 'z' sounds correctly. You usually hear a 'th' sound instead of a sharp 's'.

For teachers: a speech defect involving the misarticulation of sibilants, typically resulting in the substitution of 'th' sounds for 's' and 'z'.

## Examples

- He spoke with a slight lisp as a child.
- The speech therapist worked with the student to correct a persistent lisp that made his 's' sounds fuzzy.
- While some actors cultivate a lisp for specific character roles, most individuals seek professional therapy to ensure their sibilant consonants are crisp and intelligible.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verb 'to have' or 'to speak with'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.