A pimple is a small, inflamedswollen, red, and irritated because of irritation or infection bumpa raised area on the surface of something on the skin. It is most often used for a spot that appears during acnea skin condition causing pimples, especially on the face, especially on the face.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˈpɪmpəl/

Easy pronunciation: PIM-puhl (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the first syllable: PIM-.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pimple Meaning

a small red bump on the skin, especially from acne

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a small inflamed bump on the skin; a pustule or papule, often seen in acne

Example: She had a pimple on her chin before the school photo.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• zit — Common informal substitute for a skin spot from acne.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Pimple

Meaning 2

a small swollen bump on the skin

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a bump or swelling on the skin caused by irritation or minor inflammation

Example: After the bite, a pimple formed on his arm.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• zit — Can be used informally for a small inflamed skin bump, though it usually suggests acne.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pimple Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• zit

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• People sometimes confuse pimple with hickey, but they are different things.
• Pimple usually means an acne spot, not any mark or bruise on the skin.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pimple mean?

A pimple is a small inflamed bump on the skin, usually an acne spot.

What is a common synonym for pimple?

Zit is the closest common informal synonym.

Is hickey a synonym for pimple?

No. A hickey is a bruise-like mark, not a pimple.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.