harlot

American  

[hahr-luht] / ˈhɑr lət /

noun

Archaic.

1. a prostitute or sexually promiscuous woman.

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harlot British  

/ ˈhɑːlət /

noun

1. a prostitute or promiscuous woman

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adjective

1. archaic of or like a harlot

Other Word Forms

• harlotry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of harlot

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English: “young idler, rogue,” from Old French herlot, of obscure origin

Explanation

Harlot is an old-fashioned word for a prostitute — a woman who has sex for money. These days, calling a woman a harlot is usually done humorously. This word is too old-sounding and unusual to be very insulting. Still, you shouldn't call anyone a harlot, because it's a term — just like "whore," "strumpet," and "lady of the night" — for a woman who has sex for money. That's never been a compliment, even though today the world's oldest profession has a much nicer term: sex worker.

Example Sentences

The executive chef at Harlot in Shaw will crack some eggs — along with cheeky puns — during his live-streamed cooking demos on Cookology Recreational Culinary School’s Facebook page.

From Washington Post • May 13, 2020

She’d been playing with a band called Trae & Company Neo-Soul every Wednesday night at Harlot DC, a lounge that opened late last year.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2020

There are 19th-century models with whalebone stays, a modern-day red and black rubber corset by House of Harlot, and one worn by burlesque artist Dita Von Teese with a wince-inducing 18-inch waist.

From US News • Apr. 13, 2016

Born in Scotland, Bain launched himself on the London music scene with his band, Harlot, before being approached by Ritchie Blackmore to join Rainbow.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2016

In proof of this, only let the reader turn to Mr. Cunningham's remarks on the Harlot and Rake's Progress, at pages 98 and 99.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 14, No. 382, July 25, 1829 by Various