pimp

1 of 2

noun

plural pimps
: a person and especially a man who controls one or more sex workers, arranges clients for them, and takes a cut of their earnings

pimp

2 of 2

verb

pimped; pimping; pimps

transitive verb

1
: to make use of often dishonorably for one's own gain or benefit
2
informal : to customize and adorn (something, such as a car or apartment) in an ostentatious or lavish way
Their backhoe had four spotlights on a bar above the cab, the same way kids pimped their pick-up trucks, and together the four beams made a wide pool of halogen brightness.Lee Child
often used with out
This is a parallel world where teenagers pimp out their motorboats, customizing them with dazzling LED lights and powerful stereo systems …Leo Barraclough
Foreign buyers—many of them anonymous—have poured cash into Miami's real-estate market for years. Think mansions priced at over $20 million, condos pimped out with private rooftop pools, and spec houses with wild extras.Raisa Bruner

intransitive verb

: to work as a pimp

Examples of pimp in a Sentence

Noun the sting operation nabbed 15 prostitutes and two pimps Verb a movie actress who pimped everybody she ever met as she clawed her way to the top
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Another common misconception is that there must always be a third-party manager or pimp involved in trafficking. Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The pimp has never been publicly identified or charged in connection with the shooting. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024
Verb
Two suits against Tim Ballard have already been dismissed and a third is headlined by a woman convicted of pimping minor children. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024 The plea deal resolves a case that has been hanging in the balance since 2018, when the pair were arrested and charged in a 20-count criminal complaint, accusing them of pimping, pandering, money laundering and conspiracy to commit a felony. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pimp 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably akin to British dialect pimp small bundle of sticks, Middle English pymple papule, German Pimpf young boy, kid, literally, little fart, Pumpf, Pumps fart

First Known Use

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of pimp was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near pimp

Cite this Entry

“Pimp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pimp. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

pimp

1 of 2 noun
: one who derives income from the earnings of a prostitute usually by soliciting business compare panderer

pimp

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to work as a pimp compare pandering
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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