Dictionary.com
definitions

prostitute

[pros-ti-toot, -tyoot]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prostitute ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object), pros·ti·tut·ed, pros·ti·tut·ing.

to sell or offer (oneself) as a prostitute.
to put to any base or unworthy use: to prostitute one's talents.

RELATED CONTENT

Foxy, Catty, Fishy: Are These Traits For Animals Or Humans?
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Speaking LGBTQ: The Language of Love
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

hustler, debase, pervert, demean, gigolo, deceiver, cheater, seducer, betrayer, cheapen, profane, debauch, devalue, misuse, abuse, degrade, misapply, corrupt, deprave, vitiate

Origin of prostitute

1520–30; < Latin prōstitūta, noun use of feminine of prōstitūtus, past participle of prōstituere to expose (for sale), equivalent to prō- pro-1 + -stitū-, combining form of variant stem of statuere to cause to stand + -tus past participle suffix; see status
Related formspros·ti·tu·tor, nounun·pros·ti·tut·ed, adjective

Synonyms for prostitute

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prostitute ON THESAURUS.COM
1. call girl, streetwalker, courtesan; trollop, strumpet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prostitute

Historical Examples of prostitute

British Dictionary definitions for prostitute

prostitute

noun

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

verb (tr)

to offer (oneself or another) in sexual intercourse for money
to offer (a person, esp oneself, or a person's talent) for unworthy purposes
Derived Formsprostitution, nounprostitutor, noun

Word Origin for prostitute

C16: from Latin prōstituere to expose to prostitution, from prō- in public + statuere to cause to stand
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper