noun ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A small accumulation of pus in the epidermis or dermis.
2. 2
   a small inflamed elevation of skin containing pus; a blister filled with pus wordnet
3. 3
   A pimple filled with pus.

   "Pigmy pagodas sprouted like pustules."

4. 4
   Anything like a pustule, on plants or animals; a small blister.

Synonyms

All synonyms

abscessapostemebed sorebirthmarkblackheadblain

Example

More examples

"A bright red pustule began forming on Haziq's nose during dinner."

Etymology

From Middle English pustule, from Old French pustule, from Latin pustula (“inflamed sore, blister”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.