pimp

1 of 2

noun

ˈpimp 

: a criminal who is associated with, usually exerts control over, and lives off the earnings of one or more prostitutes

pimp

2 of 2

verb

pimped; pimping; pimps

transitive verb

1

: to make use of often dishonorably for one's own gain or benefit

2

informal : to customize and adorn (something, such as a car or apartment) in an ostentatious or lavish way

Their backhoe had four spotlights on a bar above the cab, the same way kids pimped their pick-up trucks, and together the four beams made a wide pool of halogen brightness.

—Lee Child

—often used with out

This is a parallel world where teenagers pimp out their motorboats, customizing them with dazzling LED lights and powerful stereo systems …

—Leo Barraclough

Foreign buyers—many of them anonymous—have poured cash into Miami's real-estate market for years. Think mansions priced at over $20 million, condos pimped out with private rooftop pools, and spec houses with wild extras.

—Raisa Bruner

intransitive verb

: to work as a pimp

Synonyms

Noun

• cadet [slang]
• fancy man
• pander
• procurer

Verb

• abuse
• capitalize (on)
• cash in (on)
• exploit
• impose (on or upon)
• leverage
• milk
• play (on or upon)
• use
• work

Examples of pimp in a Sentence

Noun

the sting operation nabbed 15 prostitutes and two pimps

Verb

a movie actress who pimped everybody she ever met as she clawed her way to the top

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The pimp described the suspect’s vehicle to authorities, giving them details about a green Chevrolet Avalanche during a spring 2022 meeting with investigators. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024

Jafa even gives the pimp an actual scar on his face. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2024

Verb

Investigators arrested the 18-year-old suspect in Tuesday’s case, who now faces three felony charges of pimping, pandering and trafficking minors. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 12 June 2024

If dining en famille, order a round of Fish Shop Negronis (local gin and vermouth with Campari and pimped up with samphire), followed by glasses of Riesling or Picpoul. —Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably akin to British dialect pimp small bundle of sticks, Middle English pymple papule, German Pimpf young boy, kid, literally, little fart, Pumpf, Pumps fart

First Known Use

Noun

1701, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Legal Definition

pimp

1 of 2 noun

ˈpimp 

: one who derives income from the earnings of a prostitute usually by soliciting business compare panderer

pimp

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to work as a pimp compare pandering