pimple

noun

pim·​ple ˈpim-pəl How to pronounce pimple (audio)
1
: a small inflamed elevation of the skin : papule
especially : pustule
2
: a swelling or protuberance like a pimple
pimpled adjective
pimply adjective

Example Sentences

a painful pimple on his back
Recent Examples on the Web With five percent sulfur and kaolin clay to boot, the Urban Skin Rx Acne and Blemish Control Mask will kick your pimple-popping habit to the curb. Michelle Rostamian, Allure, 26 Dec. 2022 Do not use them on a pimple that has already burst or an inflamed area. Sydney Poe, chicagotribune.com, 7 Apr. 2021 Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a small, raised pimple on the skin, often pink or pearly white, according to the Mayo Clinic. Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2023 On a foggy spring morning just before sunrise, 27 miles northwest of Cape Mendocino, California, a pimple of rock roughly a dozen miles below the ocean floor finally reaches its breaking point. Jerry Thompson, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2012 When your pimple is baked and ready, allow these Alba Botanica patches to finish the job. Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 30 Nov. 2022 Lucky for us, some of our favorite pimple patches are on sale during Black Friday. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 25 Nov. 2022 In fact, this rich formula actually draws and absorbs water from the air and forms a seal of moisture around your skin to prevent future moisture loss. Got a pimple? Sarah Han, Allure, 18 July 2022 Lucky for us, some of our favorite pimple patches are on sale during Prime Day. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 11 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pimple.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pymple; akin to Old English piplian to break out in pimples, and probably to English pimp — more at pimp

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pimple was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pimple

Cite this Entry

“Pimple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pimple. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

pimple

noun
pim·​ple ˈpim-pəl How to pronounce pimple (audio)
: a small swelling of the skin often containing pus : pustule
pimpled adjective
pimply adjective

Medical Definition

pimple

noun
pim·​ple ˈpim-pəl How to pronounce pimple (audio)
1
: a small inflamed elevation of the skin : papule
especially : pustule
2
: a swelling or protuberance like a pimple
pimpled adjective
pimply adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pimple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY