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Dictionary Language resources

blimp

Pronunciation: /blɪmp/

Definition of blimp

noun

informal

1 (also Colonel Blimp) British a pompous, reactionary type of person:you’ll still find Colonel Blimps at local party level

2a small airship or barrage balloon.
North American a fat person:I could work out four hours a day and still end up a blimp

3a soundproof cover for a cine camera.

Derivatives

blimpish

Origin:

First World War (in blimp (sense 2)): of uncertain origin. blimp (sense 1) derives from the character invented by cartoonist David Low, used in anti-German or anti-government drawings before and during the Second World War