zit

noun

ˈzit 

plural zits

informal

: a small, red, swollen spot on the skin : pimple

got a zit on his face

… drama that goes well beyond the pre-prom zit …

—Mike Blaxill et al.

Synonyms

• boil
• fester
• hickey
• papule
• pimple
• pock
• pustule
• whelk

Examples of zit in a Sentence

“Look at all these zits—I'm hideous!” wailed the high schooler

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet in 2024, tweens are proudly calling attention to zits by wearing bright, noticeable Starface Pimple Patches out in public—including school. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 29 Dec. 2024

Then there are classics like Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion, which uses a potent blend of sulfur, salicylic acid, zinc oxide, and calamine to calm zits overnight. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025

Powered by 2% salicylic acid and 4% niacinamide, this creates an invisible barrier over your zits to shrink them and reduce redness. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025

You might be tempted to whip out your strongest acne-fighting products to destroy your stubborn zit. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

zit

noun

ˈzit 

informal

: pimple

Etymology

origin unknown

Medical Definition

zit

noun

ˈzit 

slang

: pimple sense 1