gigolo

American  

[jig-uh-loh, zhig-] / ˈdʒɪg əˌloʊ, ˈʒɪg- /

noun

gigolos plural

1. a man living off the earnings or gifts of a woman, especially a younger man supported by an older woman in return for his sexual attentions and companionship.

2. a male professional dancing partner or escort.

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gigolo British  

/ ˈʒɪɡəˌləʊ /

noun

1. a man who is kept by a woman, esp an older woman

2. a man who is paid to dance with or escort women

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Etymology

Origin of gigolo

First recorded in 1920–25; from French, masculine derivative of gigole, gigolette “woman of the streets, of public dance halls,” probably ultimately from Middle French giguer “to frolic” ( see jig ²); cf. giglet, which may have influenced gigolette

Example Sentences

He worked with Paul Schrader, who wrote Taxi Driver and directed American Gigolo, on the director’s 2024 drama, Oh, Canada, playing the younger version of Richard Gere’s dying filmmaker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025

He also designed stage outfits for Lady Gaga and various costumes for films American Gigolo and The Wolf of Wall Street.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

The modern-day remake, with Jon Bernthal in the role that launched Richard Gere’s career, is not your parents’ ‘American Gigolo.’

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2022

In addition to appearing in commercials, she also had small parts in some of her son's comedies, such as "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo," "The Animal," "The Hot Chick" and "Big Stan."

From Fox News • Jan. 14, 2021

If she liked a film or a piece of music, she would play it over and over again – Midnight Cowboy, for example, and she could remember Richard Gere’s every move in America Gigolo.

From The Guardian • Apr. 3, 2016