Wondering what the slang word gimp means? If so, you’re in the right place. Read on to discover the definition of gimp, its origin, and more.
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Kevin -
March 30, 2022 -
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The word gimp is one that often comes with a lot of confusion. Why? Because it has more than one meaning. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’re exploring the term gimp to uncover its many definitions, origin, synonyms, and antonyms.
What Is the Definition of Gimp?
When looking to define the word “gimp,” you are likely to run into a collection of meanings. It can be helpful to fully understand a word by looking at all its varying definitions, not just the one most suited for your context.
As such, to begin our journey in understanding the meaning behind gimp, let’s review all the varying definitions it has gained over the course of time:
- With its first noted use in the 1600s, according to Cambridge English Dictionary, gimp can be used to reference a flat, ornamental braid or often round cord or thread used as trimming of silk, cotton, wool, or other cord. This is sometimes stiffened with wire for garments, curtains, or furniture.
- According to the Collins Dictionary of the English language, gimp can also be used in American English as a slang term for vigor or fighting spirit.
- For the adult reader, gimp can also be defined as a sexual fetishist who gets “turned on” by being dominated by their partner — chiefly, while wearing a rubber or leather bodysuit with chains, zippers, as well as a mask to finish off the ensemble.
- The Oxford English Dictionary defines gimp as a person who limps or walks in a halting manner.
As you may have guessed, the word gimp is a true homonym — aka, words that may be pronounced or spelled the same way but hold different meanings. You can trace the word hominy all the way back to the Greek words homos meaning “same,” and onuma meaning “name.”
What Are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Gimp?
As a homonym, there is an array of words that can be used in the place of the word gimp. When we replace a word with another, we replace them with what are called synonyms. By definition, synonyms are words and phrases that have the same or nearly the same meaning.
Learning the synonyms as well as the antonyms of a word is a fantastic way to help memorize the definition of a word. Not just that, they are also paramount in avoiding repetition in written and verbal communication.
Below are various synonyms of the word gimp:
- Limp
- Hobble
- Shuffle
- Uneven gait
- Bad wheel
- Differently-abled
- Confined to bed
- Laid up
- Put out of action
- Massacre
- Hogtie
- Crippling of the legs
- Disability
- Totter
- Wheelchair-bound
- Flat wheel
- Teeter
- Struggle
- Walk haltingly
- Worsen
- Out of commission
- Walk with difficulty
- Nerf
Conversely, an antonym can be used in lieu of a phrase or word to show the opposite meaning of the original word.
Antonyms of gimp provided by Power Thesaurus include:
- Stomp
- Tramp
- Heal
- Help
- Parade
- Strut
- Adorn
- Aid
- Capable
- Able-bodied
- Healthy
- Walk purposefully
- Unbroken
- Perfect
How Can Gimp Be Used in a Sentence?
Now that you understand all the varying meanings behind gimp let’s review how to properly use the noun (or verb) in a sentence.
With the help of these examples, quiz yourself and try using gimp in a sentence today!
Below are a few examples of gimp in its various meanings:
He really was confused when we were talking about gimp in class today.
Were you aware that the open-source image and paint editing program for Linux, Mac, Unix, Python, and Microsoft Windows is known as GIMP?
My grandmother was seemingly mortified as we walked down the main street and witnessed a man in a gimp suit being paraded by his partner around town.
What Are the Alternate Meanings of GIMP?
As we have already discussed, gimp is a true homonymous word, not only that the letters G.I.M.P stand as an acronym for an even wider array of definitions.
The Free Dictionary provides the varying definitions to help better understand all the varying meanings gimp or G.I.M.P may hold:
- GNU Image Manipulation Program
- Grandpa in My Pocket
- Graphics and Image Manipulation Program
- Great Internet Mersenne Prime
- Generic Incursion Management Plan
Recap
The word gimp can be used as a verb or a noun. More often than not, it’s used in the states (albeit outdated and offensive) to reference a person with a physical disability or limp; however, it is also defined as a narrow ornamental trim used in sewing or embroidery.
However, that’s not all — the word gimp is a true homonym with multiple meanings and can also refer to a sexual fetishist who gets “turned on” by being dominated via their partner.
We hope this article has provided you with everything that you need to truly understand the term gimp. If you’d like to discover the definitions of more interesting words, feel free to check out our website, where you will also find useful grammar tools, helpful tips, and more.
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