zit

American  

[zit] / zɪt /

noun

Slang.

1. a pimple; skin blemish.

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zit British  

/ zɪt /

noun

1. slang a pimple

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Usage

What does zit mean? Zit is a slang term for a pimple—a small inflammation or swelling of the skin that may or may not be filled with pus.Zits are caused by acne, a skin condition in which the skin’s sebaceous glands become clogged and inflamed.They’re 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 zits.The informal terms whitehead and blackhead are used to refer to specific kinds of zits. Technical terms for types of zits include pustule and papule.Example: My skin is naturally oily, so I have to buy a specific face wash to prevent zits.

Etymology

Origin of zit

First recorded in 1960–65; origin uncertain

Compare meaning

How does zit compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• zit vs. pimple

Example Sentences

"They never picked their noses or had bowel movements or zits," she said in the beginning of her story.

From BBC

Residents in Stockbridge have dubbed the structure an "enormous zit", blighting the views of the area's picturesque Georgian architecture.

From BBC

All I did was check my face for zits for 12 hours a day.

From Salon

She informed her followers that it was covering a tumor that she previously believed was a zit that didn’t budge for seven months.

From Los Angeles Times

I have this very large zit on my nose, coffee’s quite bitter, rain keeps falling.

From Washington Post