pimp

[ pimp ]

noun

1. a person, especially a man, who solicits customers for a prostitute or a brothel, usually in return for a share of the earnings; panderer; procurer.
2. a despicable person.
3. Australia and New Zealand. an informer; stool pigeon.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a pimp, soliciting customers for a prostitute or brothel in return for a share of the earnings.
2. to engage in promotion or publicizing:

   She's used her blog before to pimp for her brother's band.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as a pimp for, procuring customers for a prostitute or brothel (sometimes followed by out ):

   It won't be long before the so-called boyfriend starts pimping her out.

2. to promote; sell:

   We'll send you albums and pimp your websites on ours.

3. to exploit:

   You've been accused of pimping your friendships, using them as material for your novels.

4. to customize, modify, or decorate (a car or the like); deck out (sometimes followed by up or out):

   My cousin pimped his lowrider with some wild hydraulics.

5. to make more appealing; rejuvenate; elevate; jazz up (sometimes followed by up or out): This article on pimping your skincare routine is all about buying new products.

   The chef likes to pimp her burgers with a fried egg and truffle oil.

   This article on pimping your skincare routine is all about buying new products.

pimp

¹

/ pɪmp /

noun

1. a spy or informer

verb

1. introften foll byon to inform (on)

pimp

²

/ pɪmp /

noun

1. a man who solicits for a prostitute or brothel and lives off the earnings
2. a man who procures sexual gratification for another; procurer; pander

verb

1. intr to act as a pimp
2. slang.
   tr to adapt or embellish in an ostentatious manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimp¹

First recorded in 1630–40; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimp¹

of unknown origin

Origin of pimp²

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

For a slightly different take, check out Snoop Dogg/50 Cent “ P.I.M.P” version.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• hustler