primp

English

Etymology

16th century, a variant of prim.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɹɪmp/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪmp

Verb

primp (third-person singular simple present primps, present participle primping, simple past and past participle primped)

1. (intransitive) To spend time improving one's appearance, often in front of a mirror.
   • 2001, Jo-Ann Mapson, Bad Girl Creek:

     "Then I promise I'll let you take your bath and primp all day for your date."

2. (transitive) To dress in an affected manner.
   • 2013, Douglas Waller, Commandos: The Making Of America's Secrets:

     Tonight, Moses was the center of attraction, attended to by a dozen Green Berets who prepped and primped him like a stage crew fluttering about a Hollywood star.

See also

• preen