Lisp

A speech impediment characterized by the imperfect pronunciation of sibilant consonants, typically the 's' and 'z' sounds, which are often pronounced as 'th' (as in 'thin' or 'this'). This occurs because the tongue is positioned incorrectly, usually protruding between or against the teeth instead of being behind them. Lisps can range in severity, from barely noticeable to quite pronounced, and can affect social interactions and self-esteem. The condition can sometimes be corrected with speech therapy. Furthermore, a lisp can also be used to describe the act of speaking with this specific speech pattern. This word can be used as a noun or verb.

Lisp meaning with examples

• Little Timmy, with his charming lisp, always had a hard time saying 'school'. The other kids loved to hear him try and say that word; it was like listening to a precious little angel. It was endearing and sometimes made conversations with him even more fun. It was really common for younger children to have a lisp because their tongue and teeth were still developing.
• During the audition, the actor had to convincingly imitate the speech patterns of a historical character. While his acting was on point, the director found that the lisp wasn't quite authentic enough. The director decided to hire a speech coach to help him refine his lisp. He went on to get the part because he perfected it after the coach.
• Sarah had a pronounced lisp that made her hesitant to speak in public, fearing ridicule. She worked diligently with a speech therapist who showed her different techniques. Eventually she overcame her lisp; she spoke with confidence at her school. The support from her family and the therapist was instrumental in her success.
• As he spoke, his lisp added a unique quality to his voice, making his lectures memorable. His students found his little imperfections endearing and helped make him approachable. They found him engaging and made attending his classes enjoyable. His lectures were a fun part of his students' academic year.