pimple

[pim-puhl]

noun

Pathology.

1. a small, usually inflammatory swelling or elevation of the skin; papule or pustule.

pimple

/ ˈpɪmpəl /

noun

1. a small round usually inflamed swelling of the skin

2. any of the bumps on the surface of a table tennis bat

Other Word Forms

• pimpliness noun
• pimply adjective
• pimpled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimple¹

1350–1400; Middle English, nasalized variant of Old English *pypel (whence pyplian to break out in pimples) < Latin papula pimple

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimple¹

C14: related to Old English pipilian to break out in spots; compare Latin papula pimple

Idioms and Phrases

see goose pimples.

Example Sentences

In males, it grows from a small cluster of cells into a little white pimple that elongates between the eyes.

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The list of Korean beauty trends that have been adopted as staples around the world is long: BB creams, ampoules, face masks and pimple patches.

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The ensuing debate eventually saw the launch of an annual Carbuncle Award for the most dismal town in Scotland and a trophy featuring a plook - a Scottish word for pimple - fashioned out of Play-Doh.

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Together, they launched Altadena Girls to gather donations including beauty and hair products — fragrances, makeup, pimple patches, straightening tools and diffusers — and new clothing.

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From cats and cucumbers to pimple popping and unboxings, the internet is awash with a vast array of videos to send people into a social media wormhole.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• acne 
• blemish 
• blister 
• lump 

When To Use

What does pimple mean?

A pimple is a small inflammation or swelling of the skin that may or may not be filled with pus.Pimples are caused by acne, a skin condition in which the skin’s sebaceous glands become clogged and inflamed.Pimples are most commonly found on the face, but they can appear on other areas of the skin, such as the neck and back. They are most common among teens and preteens due to changes in body chemistry during the period of development known as puberty, but adults can also get pimples.An even more informal term for a pimple is zit. The informal terms whitehead and blackhead are used to refer to specific kinds of pimples. Technical terms for types of pimples include pustule and papule.Example: My skin is naturally oily, so I have to buy a specific face wash to prevent pimples.