DictionaryAI

simp

USSIMP/sɪmp/

Verbsimps, simping, simped

Noun pluralsimps

6 meanings of simp

Practice

  1. 1
    verbslangintransitive
    To behave in an excessively fawning, deferential, or admiring way toward someone, especially a person one is attracted to, often in the hope of winning their affection or sexual favor.

    Guys at the office simp whenever the new manager so much as smiles.

    He'll simp for any woman who shows him a little attention.

    UsageTakes for or over before the person: simp for her, simp over every girl.

    Note

    The verb was in use by 1992, when Fatlip of The Pharcyde rhymed it in "Passin' Me By," using it of himself while wishing he were less of a pushover. The behavior is usually mocked, though some speakers defend it as simply treating a partner well.

  2. 2
    nounslangcountable
    A person who foolishly overvalues and defers to someone, especially in hope of romantic attention; by extension, an excessively or uncritically devoted fan of someone or something, often said jokingly of oneself.

    The whole group dismissed him as a simp who'd cancel his plans whenever she texted.

    She rolled her eyes at the simp leaving heart emojis on every photo.

    UsageSay a simp for someone, or put the idol first: a Trump simp.

    Note

    Widened from its original man-and-woman use, it now fits anyone's devotion to anyone: fans, athletes, politicians. In 2020 Shorten warned that Mr Morrison must not look like "a simp to Donald Trump," which shows the slang had reached political commentary.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

    • The relevant noun sense developed from a meaning involving a man's excessive deference to a woman. en.wiktionary.org
    • In 2020 Bill Shorten warned that Mr Morrison should avoid looking like “a simp to Donald Trump,” demonstrating political use of the slang. abc.net.au
  3. 3
    made easieradjectiveabbreviation
    Short for simplified: of Chinese writing, in the simplified characters that are standard in mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia, as opposed to traditional characters.

    Streaming sites often label their Chinese subtitle tracks Simp and Trad.

    The app's language menu lists Chinese (Simp) and Chinese (Trad) as separate choices.

    UsageMostly seen in menus and labels, beside trad: simp Chinese, Chinese (Simp).

    Note

    A third simp, unrelated to the insults: a clipping of simplified, used mostly in labels such as simp Chinese for the simplified Chinese script. It shortens only the adjective, meaning either "made simpler" or "relating to simplified Chinese."

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  4. 4
    foolnounslangderogatorycountable
    A person who lacks common sense; a foolish simpleton.

    He felt like a simp after falling for the same trick twice.

    The con artist preyed on every simp who wandered into town.

    Similarfool, simpleton, sucker, dupe

    Note

    The older of two possibly unrelated simps: a 1903 clipping of simpleton, and it keeps that word's picture of a dim, easily fooled person. It sits comfortably in strings of insults beside morons, ninnies and pimps. Philip K. Dick's Valis (1981) pairs simps with morons. The pedestal-placing simp of hip hop slang has its own uncertain origin and may be a separate word, so only context tells you which insult is meant.

  5. 5
    losernounslangcountable
    A person who is not worthy of respect.
    All of this, inspired by hypersensitive simps who never once had to demonstrate that, by reasonable standards, they had been victimized in any way.
    2009, Michael Graham ·, Redneck Nation: How the South Really Won the War
    A real pimp is a gentleman, but these are pimps in gorilla suits. They hang around pimps, they have hoes on the track working for them, they may even look like pimps, but they are straight simps.
    2012, Pumpin' Ken, Pimpology: The 48 Laws of the Game

    Similarloser, nobody

    Note

    Contempt widens here from foolishness to worthlessness, grown out of the "fool" meaning. This simp is less dim than despicable. In pimp slang it names the counterfeit. Pimpin' Ken's Pimpology (2007) says pretenders who merely look the part "are straight simps."

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Less common meaning

  1. 6
    verbslang
    To reminisce melancholically, recalling once-happy memories now tinged with sadness, especially about a former lover.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of simp apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 4–5

First recorded in 1903 as a clipping of "simpleton."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 1–2

It arose in the 1980s in the hip hop culture of the West Coast, and its earlier history is unknown. Suggested sources are a special use of "simpleton," a shortening of "simper," a respelled shortening of "sympathetic," or a combination of "sissy" with "pimp" or perhaps "wimp." At first it was limited to African-American Vernacular English, but Internet culture, especially Twitch and TikTok, spread it widely in the late 2010s.

Meaning 3

A clipping of "simplified."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact