working girl
Americannoun
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Older Use: Often Offensive. a woman who works.
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Slang. a prostitute.
noun
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a girl or woman who works, esp one who supports herself
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informal a prostitute
Sensitive Note
The meaning “woman who works” has declined in use because of possible confusion with the other meaning, “prostitute.” And the use of girl to refer to an adult woman is often perceived as insulting and demeaning. See also girl.
Etymology
Origin of working girl
First recorded in 1860–65 working girl for def. 1; 1965–70 working girl for def. 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Put the forequarter in a large roasting pan on top of the cooking grill....
From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2014
Put the forequarter in a large roasting pan on top of the cooking grill.
From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2014
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
