# pimple

/ˈpɪmpəɫ/ (US) · /pˈɪmpəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pimple
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. skin spot

noun · CEFR A2

a small, raised, red spot on the skin that is often painful and may contain pus.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to develop spots

verb · CEFR B2

to start growing small red spots on your skin.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. annoying person

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a person who is very annoying or bothersome.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a person perceived as insignificant yet persistently irritating.

- 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.

## Examples

- I have a small pimple on my nose.
- He tried to pop the pimple on his cheek, but it only made it more red and sore.
- While occasional pimples are a normal part of adolescence, persistent breakouts can indicate a more severe form of acne that requires medical intervention.

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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.