# pimp

/ˈpɪmp/ (US) · /pˈɪmp/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pimp
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a person who controls sex workers and takes a part of the money they earn. This word is very informal and often considered offensive or rude.

For teachers: a person who procures customers for prostitutes and manages their earnings. Often carries a derogatory or highly informal tone; avoid in professional or academic contexts.

## Examples

- The police arrested the pimp during the raid.
- The documentary explores the dangerous power dynamics between a pimp and the people working under his control.
- Sociological studies of urban underground economies often examine how a pimp maintains authority through a combination of financial dependency and psychological manipulation.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a derogatory term; also appears as a verb meaning to provide customers for a prostitute.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.