Elisp, or Emacs Lisp, is a dialect of the Lisp programming language used primarily for extending and customizing the Emacs text editor. It allows users to write scripts and functions that enhance the editor's functionality, enabling personalized workflows and automation of repetitive tasks. As a powerful tool, Elisp provides access to various features of Emacs, such as buffer manipulation, text processing, and user interface customization. This flexibility makes it popular among developers and writers who want to tailor their editing environment to suit their specific needs and preferences.