Lisp has more than one meaning. It can refer to a type of computer programmingWriting instructions that a computer follows to perform tasks language, a speech sound pattern caused by a speech defectA problem or flaw that makes something not work normally, or the act of speaking with that kind of pronunciationThe way a word or sound is spoken.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /lɪsp/
Easy pronunciation: LISP (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.
Noun meaning a speech defect that makes s and z sound like th.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lisp Meaning
a speech issue that changes the way some sounds are pronounced
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a speech defect that makes sounds like s and z come out like th sounds
Example: As a child, he had a lisp that made his speech hard to understand.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Lisp
Meaning 2
a programming language used in computer science, especially for symbolic processing
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a flexible procedure-oriented programming language that manipulates symbols in the form of lists
Example: Researchers wrote the prototype in Lisp.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- list-processing language — A direct synonym for the programming-language sense.
Meaning 3
to speak with a lisp
Part of speech: verb
Definition: speak with a lisp
Example: She began to lisp when she was nervous.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lisp Synonyms
the programming language sense
- list-processing language
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse the speech-related noun and verb senses with the programming language Lisp.
- Do not use the programming-language synonym for the speech defect meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lisp mean?
Lisp can mean a speech defect that changes s and z sounds, the act of speaking that way, or a programming language in computer science.
What is lisp a synonym for?
For the programming-language sense, it can be synonymous with list-processing language. The speech-related senses do not have a strong supplied synonym.
Is Lisp the same as a speech lisp?
No. Lisp can also be the name of a programming language, while a speech lisp is a pronunciation issue.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
