pimp

[ pimp ]

/ pɪmp /

Save This Word!

noun

a person, especially a man, who solicits customers for a prostitute or a brothel, usually in return for a share of the earnings; panderer; procurer.

a despicable person.

Australia and New Zealand. an informer; stool pigeon.

verb (used without object)

to act as a pimp, soliciting customers for a prostitute or brothel in return for a share of the earnings.

to engage in promotion or publicizing:She's used her blog before to pimp for her brother's band.

verb (used with object)

to act as a pimp for, procuring customers for a prostitute or brothel (sometimes followed by out):It won't be long before the so-called boyfriend starts pimping her out.

to promote; sell:We'll send you albums and pimp your websites on ours.

to exploit: You've been accused of pimping your friendships, using them as material for your novels.

to customize, modify, or decorate (a car or the like); deck out (sometimes followed by up or out):My cousin pimped his lowrider with some wild hydraulics.

to make more appealing; rejuvenate; elevate; jazz up (sometimes followed by up or out):The chef likes to pimp her burgers with a fried egg and truffle oil.This article on pimping your skincare routine is all about buying new products.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pimp

First recorded in 1630–40; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pimp in a sentence

Mariana van Zeller, the Peabody Award–winning Portuguese journalist and speaker of at least six languages, stopped by The Carlos Watson Show to discuss pimps, drug lords and the absence of fear in the face of mortal peril.
Mariana van Zeller’s Take on Pimps and How to End the Drug War|Eugene Robinson|January 13, 2021|Ozy
So part of what I wanted to do for this episode was to really sort of focus on the perpetrators, on the pimps themselves, and try to sort of understand how they do it, why they do it and all that.
Mariana van Zeller’s Take on Pimps and How to End the Drug War|Eugene Robinson|January 13, 2021|Ozy
I had to do three scenes for the audition: the blanket scene where she says, “You pimped me out for a blanket?”
Orange Is the New Black’s Kimiko Glenn on Hippie Brook Soso and Chapel Sex with Natasha Lyonne|Marlow Stern|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wiz proudly pimped his new project: a baby with model Amber Rose.
Ke$ha’s New Reality Show Is a Bore. Where’s Our Crazy Ke$ha? (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|April 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Also, he pimped out his daughter, who is 19 years old and single.
MTV Movie Awards 2013 Best Moments: Rebel Wilson & More (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Hollywood Power Marriage May Be Ending|Allison Samuels|January 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sure, there are plenty to choose from, but this spot featuring a never-ending line of pimped out semi trucks is one of the best.
Coca –Cola, M&M’s, & More Classic Holiday Commercials (VIDEO)|Brittany Jones-Cooper|December 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for pimp (1 of 2)

pimp¹

/ (pɪmp) /

noun

a man who solicits for a prostitute or brothel and lives off the earnings

a man who procures sexual gratification for another; procurer; pander

verb

(intr) to act as a pimp

(tr) slang to adapt or embellish in an ostentatious manner

Word Origin for pimp

C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for pimp (2 of 2)

pimp²

/ (pɪmp) slang, mainly Australian and NZ /

noun

a spy or informer

verb

(intr often foll by on) to inform (on)

Word Origin for pimp

of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pimp

Origin of pimp

Words related to pimp

How to use pimp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pimp (1 of 2)

Word Origin for pimp

British Dictionary definitions for pimp (2 of 2)

Word Origin for pimp