Pill — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈpil/

Meaning & Definition of Pill

Pill (verb)

  1. to come off in flakes or scales, peel
  2. to subject to depredation or extortion
  3. to peel or strip off
  4. to dose with pills
  5. blackball
  6. to become rough with or mat into little balls

Pill (noun)

  1. a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
  2. birth control pill —usually used with the
  3. something repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured

Pill (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a small mass containing medicine to be taken orally

    "you'll have to take one of these pills every six hours for your flu"

    similar: cap, capsule, lozenge, tablet
    related: cure, drug, medication, medicinal, pharmaceutical, physic, remedy, specific, miracle drug, wonder drug, potion, preparation, dosage, dose, drop, gelcap, bolus, pilule

  2. a person whose behavior is offensive to others

    "she can be such a pill when things don't go her way"

    similar: bastard, beast, bleeder (British), blighter (chiefly British), boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, creep, cretin, crud (slang), crumb (slang), cur, dirtbag (slang), dog, fink, heel, hound, jerk, joker, louse, lout, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, schmuck (slang), scum, scumbag (slang), scuzzball (slang), skunk, sleaze, sleazebag (slang), sleazeball (slang), slime, slimeball (slang), slob, snake, so-and-so, sod (chiefly British), stinkard, stinker, swine, toad, varmint, vermin, son of a gun
    related: barbarian, brute, caveman, Neanderthal, savage, loudmouth, vulgarian, lowlife, miscreant, rascal, rogue, roughneck, scab, scamp, scoundrel, villain, wretch, booby, doofus (slang), fool, jackass, nincompoop, ninny, nit (chiefly British), nitwit, nut, schmo (slang), airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, dink (slang), dolt, dope, dork (slang), goon, half-wit, idiot, imbecile, moron, turkey, brat, insolent, nuisance, pest, snip, snob, snoot, snot, dweeb (slang), nerd
    near: hero, heroine, idol, role model, gentleman, lady, angel, saint

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pill

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pill:

Slang: crud, crumb, dirtbag, schmuck, scumbag, scuzzball, sleazebag, sleazeball, slimeball
Chiefly British: blighter, sod
British: bleeder
cap, capsule, lozenge, tablet, bastard, beast, boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, dog, fink, heel, hound, jerk, joker, louse, lout, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, scum, skunk, sleaze, slime, slob, snake, so-and-so, stinkard, stinker, swine, toad

Related Words for Pill

cure, drug, medication, medicinal, pharmaceutical, physic, remedy, specific, miracle drug, wonder drug, potion, preparation, dosage, dose, drop, gelcap, bolus, pilule, barbarian, brute, caveman, Neanderthal, savage, loudmouth, vulgarian, lowlife, miscreant, rascal, rogue, roughneck

Near Antonyms of Pill

hero, heroine, idol, role model, gentleman, lady, angel, saint

Word Forms of Pill

Inflections: pilled, pilling, pills

Origin & Etymology of Pill

Middle English pilen, pillen, partly from Old English pilian to peel, partly from Anglo-French piler to rob

First known use: 12th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pill

Words & Phrases Containing Pill

pill bug, abortion pill, birth control pill, contraceptive pill, mini pill, morning-after pill, pep pill

Frequently Asked Questions about Pill

What does "Pill" mean?

"Pill" means to come off in flakes or scales, peel. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to come off in flakes or scales, peel. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pill"?

Other words for "Pill" include cap, capsule, lozenge, tablet, bastard, beast, bleeder and blighter. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pill" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pill"?

There are 123 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pill". Common alternatives include cap, capsule, lozenge, tablet, bastard, beast, bleeder, blighter, boor and bounder.

What is a slang word for "Pill"?

Slang words for "Pill" include crud, crumb, dirtbag, schmuck, scumbag and scuzzball.

How do you use "Pill" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pill" in a sentence: "you'll have to take one of these pills every six hours for your flu"; "she can be such a pill when things don't go her way".

Is "Pill" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pill" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Pill" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Pill" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Pill"?

"Pill" is pronounced /ˈpil/.