Word
pimple
Phoneticspim·ple, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɪmpəɫ/
UK/pˈɪmpəl/
Definitions
01skin spot
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Medicine
n. a small, raised, red spot on the skin that is often painful and may contain pus.
n. a small, inflamed papule or pustule on the surface of the skin, typically associated with acne.
“He was worried about a large pimple that appeared on his nose before the party.”
“The dermatologist explained that the pimple was caused by a blocked pore and advised against attempting to squeeze it.”
02to develop spots
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to start growing small red spots on your skin.
v. to develop or become covered with small inflamed skin lesions.
“His forehead began to pimple during the hot, humid summer months.”
“The patient's skin tended to pimple whenever he was under significant stress or neglected his cleansing routine.”
Synonyms
03annoying person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal
n. a person who is very annoying or bothersome.
n. a derogatory term for a person perceived as insignificant yet persistently irritating.
Español:pendejo
“Stop being such a pimple and let me finish my work in peace.”
“He was regarded as a minor pimple on the department's reputation, constantly complaining about trivial administrative changes.”
Etymology
Early Modern English pimple, pumple, from Middle English pymple, pympyl, of uncertain origin but probably a nasalized variant of Old English pipel, pypel, from Old English piplian, pyplian (“to break out in pimples, show eruptions”), probably related to Latin papula (“pimple, pustule”) (from Proto-Indo-European *pap- (“pock mark, nipple”)). Akin to Old English pipliġende (“having shingles”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/pimple
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0