Meaning & use
zits
Last updated
UK/zɪts/
US/zɪts/
“zits” is a form of “zit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralinformal
Small, red, sore bumps on the skin, especially on the face, caused by blocked pores.
Grammar: Plural of zit: one zit, two zits.
Patterns
- get zits
- cover up zits
- have zits
He got a few zits before the school dance.
She dabbed cream on her zits every night.
Many teenagers worry about zits.
Word forms
| singular | zit |
|---|
Common combinations
- pop zits
- Doctors advise people not to pop zits.
- cover zits
- She used concealer to cover her zits.
- break out in zits
- He broke out in zits before the exam.
- get rid of zits
- Gentle washing can help get rid of zits.
- teenage zits
- Teenage zits often fade by adulthood.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pimples
- Pimples is the slightly more neutral everyday word, while zits sounds younger and more casual.
- spots
- Spots is the usual British word and can also mean other marks on skin.
- blemishes
- Blemishes is a polite word that covers any mark, not only pimples.
- acne
- Acne is the medical condition that causes repeated zits.
Opposites
clear skin
Word family
- zit noun
- one such bump
- zitty adjective
- informal word for having zits
- acne noun
- medical condition of many pimples
Commonly confused: zits or zest?
zits vs zest
Zest is the outer peel of citrus or a feeling of enthusiasm, and it is unrelated to zits.
Practice
Which word is the closest everyday synonym of zits?
Choose one answer.
Zits and pimples both name small inflamed bumps on the skin. Freckles, wrinkles and scars are different skin features.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “zits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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