courtesan

American  

[kawr-tuh-zuhn, kur-] / ˈkɔr tə zən, ˈkɜr- /

Sometimes courtezan

noun

1. (especially in historical use) a mistress, paramour, or prostitute, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth.

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courtesan British  

/ ˌkɔːtɪˈzæn /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a prostitute, or the mistress of a man of rank

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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

Example Sentences

In his 18th opera, Giuseppe Verdi provocatively made the lead role a courtesan in contemporary Paris.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

In the late 2000s, the courtesan culture had completely vanished and Rekhabai left the kotha to live in her apartment in Kolkata.

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

She can dash off high D flats as a steely, love-averse courtesan in Act I, and move a solo oboe to tears in “Addio del passato” come Act III.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2022

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