noun / verb
lisp
LISP/lɪsp/
A way of speaking that alters s and z sounds, often making them sound like th.
The woman's lisp places her tongue between her teeth during the sound exercise.
Etymology
The Old English verb described imperfect pronunciation of 's' and 'z'; the noun names that speech habit. The underlying adjective meaning 'lisping' was probably imitative.
In context
To speak more clearly despite a lisp, he went through his speeches with stones in his mouth.
More examples
- The character lisps when pronouncing words with s sounds.
- Her lisp becomes more noticeable when she speaks quickly.
- The speech therapist listens carefully to the child's lisp.
Forms
lisp · lisps · lisped · lisping