What does pimply mean?
“Pimply” is an adjective meaning covered with pimples or bearing small raised spots. It is most often used to describe skin, especially the face of an adolescent or young adult, and can carry a mildly negative, self-conscious connotation because pimples are commonly associated with embarrassment or unwanted appearance. The word may also be used figuratively or for rough, uneven surfaces marked by small bumps. “Pimply” is informal and accessible rather than technical; in medical writing, a more precise term such as “papular” may be preferable. It is formed from “pimple” with the adjective-forming suffix “-y,” and its meaning follows naturally from the noun: something that has pimples is pimply.
Covered with pimples or small raised spots on the skin.
"The teenager tried several products to improve his pimply skin."
Informal and commonly used in descriptions of a person's face or complexion.
Having or displaying pimples; marked by small raised spots.
"The old brick wall had a rough, pimply texture."
A figurative or extended use for uneven, textured surfaces.
The word “pimply” is especially vivid in descriptions of adolescent skin, capturing the small raised spots that punctuate an otherwise smooth complexion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pimply come from?
The word comes from the noun “pimple,” which is of uncertain or undocumented origin in English. The adjective “pimply” developed by adding the suffix “-y,” a productive pattern in English for forming adjectives that describe a quality or condition, as in “cloudy” or “dusty.” The related form “pimpled” uses the same root and conveys a comparable meaning.
Related word forms
How pimply is actually used
Usually informal and mildly negative; it commonly describes skin affected by pimples and can sound less clinical than “papular” or “acneiform.”