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

Explanation

A zit is a pimple. This is a slang term for those little inflamed bumps of skin no one wants. If you have acne, you're likely to have zits: little raised areas of your skin that are usually filled with pus. Your doctor will call those little bumps pimples, but many people call them zits, which is an informal, slangy word. Teenagers tend to get a lot of zits: it's one of the difficult parts of adolescence. It seems like a new zit always pops up at the worst possible time, like right before prom.

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2025

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

From Washington Post • Nov. 23, 2022

Your search for a zit zapper is over.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2022

At home, you change your child’s diaper, unclog the shower drain, empty your cat’s litter box, pop a zit, throw out the fuzzy leftovers in the fridge.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2021

“Wait, I have a zit on the side of my nose—does that mean I did something to deserve it?”

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi