Word
pimping
Phoneticspimp·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɪmpɪŋ/
UK/pˈɪmpɪŋ/
Definition
v. to make money by controlling sex workers and finding customers for them. In casual slang, you also use it to mean making something look big, bright and flashy.
v. to procure customers for sex workers and live off their earnings. In extended informal use, to decorate or customize something in a flashy, showy style.
Examples
“He is pimping his old car with bright lights.”
“The police arrested him for pimping young women across three cities.”
“The novel portrays a man pimping on street corners by night while pimping his battered car by day with chrome and neon.”
Examples
simple
“He is pimping his old car with bright lights.”
contextual
“The police arrested him for pimping young women across three cities.”
complex
“The novel portrays a man pimping on street corners by night while pimping his battered car by day with chrome and neon.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pimping” in context.
Verb
01. accuse of pimping
“The club owner was accused of pimping by former employees.”
verb + prep + gerund
02. ban pimping
“Several states have passed laws to ban pimping and sexual exploitation.”
verb + gerund
03. charge with pimping
“He was charged with pimping after a six-month undercover investigation.”
verb + prep + gerund
04. combat pimping
“Charities work with police to combat pimping in major urban areas.”
verb + gerund
05. criminalize pimping
“The new legislation will criminalize pimping and protect vulnerable victims.”
verb + gerund
Adjective
06. illegal pimping
“Police arrested two men for illegal pimping in the city centre.”
adj + gerund
07. organized pimping
“The report links organized pimping to wider human trafficking networks.”
adj + gerund
Noun
08. conviction for pimping
“A conviction for pimping carries a lengthy prison term in this state.”
noun + prep + gerund
09. history of pimping
“The defendant had a long history of pimping and coercion.”
noun + prep + gerund
10. crack down on pimping
“Police have promised to crack down on pimping near the station.”
11. make money from pimping
“Gangs make money from pimping and other forms of exploitation.”
12. pimp out an old car
“He spent thousands to pimp out an old car with neon lights.”
Usage
Takes a direct object in both senses; often appears as 'pimp out' when meaning to decorate or exploit.
Real-World Examples
“There have been numerous prosecutions of pimping and sex trafficking involving people who have used Vivastreet to advertise the women they are exploiting.” “He is accused of "aggravated pimping", or helping to procure sex workers for a prostitution ring based at a hotel in Lille.” Etymology
By surface analysis, pimp + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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