strumpet

American  

[struhm-pit] / ˈstrʌm pɪt /

noun

Older Use.

1. a prostitute.

2. a sexually promiscuous woman (now often used facetiously).

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strumpet British  

/ ˈstrʌmpɪt /

noun

1. archaic a prostitute or promiscuous woman

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Other Word Forms

• strumpetlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of strumpet

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; origin uncertain

Explanation

A strumpet is a woman who commits adultery or sleeps around a lot. It's an insult, although an old-fashioned one. You're more likely to read about strumpets in Shakespeare than anything written recently, because this is an out-of-style word for a woman who commits adultery. You can also call a strumpet an adulteress, hussy, loose woman, or trollop, but it's best to avoid all those terms since they're sexist and offensive.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

strumpet

How like a prodigal doth she return, With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails, Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind!

From Platform Monologues by T. G. (Thomas George) Tucker

For the third degree, they prouided Bridewell, where the vagabond and idle strumpet is chastised, and compelled to labour, to the ouerthrow of the vicious life of idlenes.

From Elizabethan England From 'A Description of England,' by William Harrison by William Harrison

Anne Boleyn was no strumpet; she was King Henry's lawful wife, and Elizabeth is the king's legitimate daughter!

From Henry VIII and His Court by Henry Niles Pierce

Great King, I am no strumpet, by my life; I am either maid, or else this old man's wife.

From All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare

As a matron is unlike and of a different aspect from a strumpet, so will a true friend differ from the toad-eater.

From The Works of Horace by Horace