courtesan
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of courtesan
First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana, literally, “woman of the court,” derivative of corte court
Explanation
From the Renaissance on, European kings and noblemen often kept a courtesan, that is, a woman with whom they had a relationship but were not married to. The courtesan got her name quite literally from the royal court where she lived. In fact, the term to court, as in to woo someone romantically, comes from the origin. A similar term is concubine, though it has a slightly different meaning. Concubines date from earlier times, to the Biblical era and beyond, and refer to women who were generally kept far more closeted socially, unlike courtesans, who often had great independence and freedom. Don't confuse your different types of high class girlfriends!
Vocabulary lists containing courtesan
The Haunting of Hill House
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In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
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Typical American
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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.
The wrestling coach at the American school in Tokyo, Ernst’s glamorous courtesan Chizuko, and many of the characters are composites.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
By making the waltz a unifying element in an opera about a courtesan, Verdi accomplished both.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
His book - written from the memories his mother narrated to him - gives the reader a shockingly honest look into the life of an Indian courtesan is the mid-1900s.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2023
The film, by French actor and director Maïwenn Le Besco, known as Maïwenn, chronicles the life of French courtesan Madame du Barry, who climbed the social ladder at Versailles to become the king's favourite.
From Reuters ● May 17, 2023
Govinda once spent a rest period with some other monks in the pleasure grove which Kamala, the courtesan, had once presented to the followers of Gotama.
From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse
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.
