English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

bimbo

BIHM-boh

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
1
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.

Word forms

bimbos plural, bimboes plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
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.
See the full Class of 1919 →

Rhymes for bimbo

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

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial