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

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

The 1990s, when Gere was the bankable fortysomething star of American Gigolo and Pretty Woman.

From The Guardian • Oct. 7, 2019

As reference and inspiration, he mentions such thrillers as the San Francisco-set "Jade" and the Florida-set "Body Heat" alongside L.A.-set movies such as "Dead Again," "American Gigolo" and "Bad Influence."

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2018

Bailey, a cinematographer, has worked on films including American Gigolo, The Big Chill and Groundhog Day.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2018