pimple

noun

pim·​ple ˈpim-pəl 

1

: a small inflamed elevation of the skin : papule

especially : pustule

2

: a swelling or protuberance like a pimple

pimpled

ˈpim-pəld 

adjective

pimply

ˈpim-p(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

• boil
• fester
• hickey
• papule
• pock
• pustule
• whelk
• zit [slang]

Examples of pimple in a Sentence

a painful pimple on his back

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, these strips can also act as a pimple patch for your nose, treating whiteheads and blackheads simultaneously. —Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025

Zap Zits with Spot Treatments From pimple patches to high-tech LED gadgets, there are plenty of innovative spot treatments on the market designed to speed up the healing of persistent breakouts. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025

Amazon These cute little stars that went viral on TikTok are hydrocolloid patches that can help heal pimples. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 31 Mar. 2025

Concealer can be your best friend in your makeup kit, instantly erasing pores, pimples, scars, and more. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pymple; akin to Old English piplian to break out in pimples, and probably to English pimp — more at pimp entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pimple

• dimple
• simple

Kids Definition

pimple

noun

pim·​ple ˈpim-pəl 

: a small swelling of the skin often containing pus : pustule

pimpled

-pəld 

adjective

pimply

-p(ə-)lē 

adjective

Medical Definition

pimple

noun

pim·​ple ˈpim-pəl 

1

: a small inflamed elevation of the skin : papule

especially : pustule

2

: a swelling or protuberance like a pimple

pimpled

-pəld 

adjective

pimply

-p(ə-)lē 

adjective