sigmatism

S1I1G2M3A1T1I1S1M3
/ˈsɪɡməˌtɪzəm/

noun

A lisp.

Scrabble 14
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Meanings

nounsigmatism (countable and uncountable, plural sigmatisms)

plural sigmatisms

  1. countableuncountableA lisp.
  2. countableuncountableA defective pronunciation of sibilant sounds.

    The flaw in pronouncing a sibilant S, which speech therapists call sigmatism, can follow even minor changes to the way the tongue aligns with the teeth.

    2007 October 30, C. Claiborne Ray, “Whence the Whistle?”, in New York Times

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
parasigmatism

Origin

From sigma + -ism. sigmat- is the stem form of sigma, as seen in sigmatic.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Greek σιγματισμός
  • σιγματισμός (sigmatismós)the defective pronunciation of sibilant sounds
Polish sygmatyzm, seplenienie
  • sygmatyzmthe defective pronunciation of sibilant sounds
  • seplenieniethe defective pronunciation of sibilant sounds
Cite this entry
APA

sigmatism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sigmatism

MLA

“sigmatism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sigmatism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sigmatism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sigmatism.

Source: sigmatism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.