prostitute
- a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money; whore; harlot.
- a man who engages in sexual acts for money.
- a person who willingly uses his or her talent or ability in a base and unworthy way, usually for money.
- to sell or offer (oneself) as a prostitute.
- to put to any base or unworthy use: to prostitute one's talents.
Origin of prostitute
Synonyms
See more synonyms for prostitute on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for prostitute
Historical Examples
A woman who becomes a Prostitute is looked upon as a heroine.
Flash-lights from the Seven SeasWilliam L. Stidger
Foreigners commonly, but mistakenly, suppose that "Yoshiwara" means "Prostitute Quarter."
Working Women of JapanSidney Lewis Gulick
Very soon, however, ladies gave up the use of the mask, and "Vizard-mask" became a synonym for "Prostitute."
prostitute
- a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
- a man who engages in such activity, esp in homosexual practices
- a person who offers his talent or work for unworthy purposes
- to offer (oneself or another) in sexual intercourse for money
- to offer (a person, esp oneself, or a person's talent) for unworthy purposes
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for prostitute
v.
1520s, "to offer to indiscriminate sexual intercourse (usually in exchange for money)," from Latin prostitutus, past participle of prostituere "to expose to prostitution, expose publicly," from pro- "before" (see pro-) + statuere "cause to stand, establish," from PIE root *sta- "to stand," with derivatives meaning "place or thing that is standing" (see stet). Related: Prostituted; prostituting.
The notion of "sex for hire" is not inherent in the etymology, which rather suggests one "exposed to lust" or sex "indiscriminately offered." However, this is now almost the official European term for the institution, e.g. German prostituierte, Russian prostitutka, etc. Figurative sense (of abilities, etc.) is from 1570s. Of men, in reference to homosexual acts, from 1886 (in form prostitution); phrase male prostitute attested by 1948.
n.
"harlot, woman who offers her body indiscriminately" (usually for money)," 1610s, from Latin prostituta "prostitute," fem. of prostitutus, past participle of prostituere (see prostitute (v.)).