Pronunciation: [lˈɪsəm] (IPA) 
The word "lissom" is often misspelled as "lissome". However, the correct spelling is without the "e" at the end. The IPA phoneme transcription of "lissom" is /ˈlɪsəm/. This word means "graceful and flexible". It is commonly used to describe a person's physical characteristics or movements. It is important to pay attention to the spelling of this word to avoid confusion and to ensure clear communication in written texts.
The term "lissom" is an adjective that describes a person or object as being gracefully slender, agile, and flexible. It can also refer to the quality of being supple and nimble in movements. The word is commonly associated with elegance, litheness, and the ability to move with great ease and fluidity.
A person who is described as lissom possesses a sleek and slender physical appearance, often characterized by long limbs and a lean figure. The term emphasizes the individual's ability to move gracefully and effortlessly, with a natural sense of balance and coordination. This quality is often seen as elegant and desirable.
Similarly, when referring to an object or material, lissom suggests a pliable and flexible nature. It implies that the object can bend and adapt smoothly without losing its shape or integrity. This attribute can be used to describe fabrics, sculptures, or any other physical material that exhibits a graceful and fluid structure.
The term "lissom" is frequently used in contexts such as dance, athletics, and yoga, where flexibility and agility are particularly important. It carries connotations of beauty, grace, and ease of movement.
A colloquial form of lithesome, which see.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "lissom" comes from the Middle English term "lithsom", which was later shortened to "lissom" in the 16th century. The Middle English term originates from the Old English "lithesum", which is a combination of "lith" (meaning gentle or mild) and "-som" (a suffix denoting quality or state). Therefore, "lissom" originally meant gentle or mild in Old English. Over time, the word's meaning shifted to refer to flexibility, agility, or litheness, particularly when describing a person's movements or physique.
