primp
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
primpsimple
-
primpssimple
-
have primpedperfect
-
has primpedperfect
-
am primpingprogressive
-
are primpingprogressive
-
is primpingprogressive
-
have been primpingperfect progressive
-
has been primpingperfect progressive
Past
-
primpedsimple
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had primpedperfect
-
was primpingprogressive
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were primpingprogressive
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had been primpingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of primp
First recorded in 1795–1805; akin to prim 1
Explanation
Primp is a word that is best illustrated by girls getting ready for a ball––it means to groom yourself elaborately. Primp is a word that was very popular in the 19th century. In "Little Women" and other novels by Louisa May Alcott, girls waste much time primping, when they ought to be grooming their character and thinking about their behavior instead.
Vocabulary lists containing primp
Face It: Selfie Vocab
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Death of a Salesman
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Ghost
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Contestants primp and pose for what they think will be selfies, never suspecting that to those running the game, they’re just a face and a number.
From Salon ● Dec. 26, 2024
So until it gets fleshed out, they borrow from the boys and primp it up just a little.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 6, 2019
Pardew was hired with a brief to unlock the talents of some ambitious signings, relax his players, primp the brand.
From The Guardian ● May 12, 2018
The ladies smiled and pretended to primp their hair, like Betty Boops of the Regency.
From Slate ● Mar. 6, 2018
Not to primp, comb his hair, shave, or to practice sneering.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
That’s a lot of what hairstylist Kayla Gowell hears as she snips, sprays, primps and blow-dries.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 17, 2024
"Tonight is the first day of the rest of my life," the man says as he primps expectantly.
From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2023
Sally primps before the mirror, though I do not.
From New York Times ● Feb. 20, 2014
Stage Note: Quinn applies Telescopic Explosion Mascara and primps in front of the mirror.
From BusinessWeek ● Oct. 14, 2010
A Lee cousin primped up slightly wilted heads of lettuce the way a girl primps a loose finger wave.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
Stewart gave up bread and pasta, took Pilates classes and was flown to the Dominican Republic, where she was coiffed and primped and handed a few designer bathing suits to try on for size.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2023
As stylist Jonny Levi, a family friend, primped Marlies post-surgery at her home in Magnolia, blond was suggested for Frei, who wanted to do something.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 27, 2023
“You don’t even have to get up and get dressed and get yourself all primped up. You just put on your headset. I’m legit in pajamas right now.”
From New York Times ● Oct. 7, 2022
And in isolation it really is a wonderfully seductive wash-job, unprecedented in its beauty, every surface primped and preened and buffed.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 24, 2018
Even though I've been dressed and measured and primped so many times, I still hate the feeling in these moments that my body doesn't belong to me.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
The drama approaches dark farce as Madame flings around her bedroom in a frenzy of dressing and primping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
And then a purging and primping of the rooms ahead of a dramatic reveal, when homeowners return with tears and gratitude.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 27, 2023
Wasabi’s life is much the same as it ever was, a nonstop schedule of sleeping, eating, primping, romping and reclining.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 21, 2022
Yet clipping is a far more clearcut action than "primping."
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2021
Max Myer, the meteorologist at one of the local TV stations, was checking himself in a hand mirror, prepping and primping to be the celebrity quizmaster.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
