noun

bimbo

BIHM-boh

Quiz me More like this

Bimbo (noun) means a disparaging term for an attractive but unintelligent person, usually a woman. Example: “The film was criticized for reducing its female lead to a bimbo stereotype.”

noun

A disparaging term for an attractive but unintelligent person, usually a woman.

"The film was criticized for reducing its female lead to a bimbo stereotype."

How to use bimbo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn insulting label for someone seen as attractive but shallow or unintelligent.

When to use it

Derogatory and best avoided — considered sexist and demeaning in modern usage.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like bimbo.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: bimbos, bimboes

Test yourself on “bimbo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The film was criticized for reducing its female lead to a _____ stereotype.

Etymology

From Italian bimbo ("baby, small child"), a variant of bambino. It entered American slang in 1919 meaning "a foolish man," then shifted by the 1920s to describe an attractive but unintelligent woman, popularized by Variety editor Jack Conway.

Origin: Italian · First attested 1919

Class of 1919 bimbo joined the language around 1919.

copacetic fellatio jamboree Kalashnikov uncanny

See the full Class of 1919 →

Synonyms

View more →

airhead

Related words

idiot airhead doldrum bubblehead noddy fuckwit ninny nimrod

Rhymes for bimbo

himbo limbo Jimbo

See all rhymes for bimbo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bimbo” mean?

The word “bimbo” means a disparaging term for an attractive but unintelligent person, usually a woman. In plain terms, an insulting label for someone seen as attractive but shallow or unintelligent.

How do you pronounce “bimbo”?

“Bimbo” is pronounced BIHM-boh (/ˈbɪmboʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bimbo” in a sentence?

Here is “bimbo” used in a sentence: “The film was criticized for reducing its female lead to a bimbo stereotype.”

What part of speech is “bimbo”?

“Bimbo” is a noun.

Where does the word “bimbo” come from?

The word “bimbo” dates back to around 1919 and comes from Italian.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include bimbo:

Words with Italian origins

People also searched

idiot airhead doldrum bubblehead noddy fuckwit ninny nimrod