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

From this incident we may learn to know how evil Fortune exerts her rage against a poor right-minded man, and how the strumpet Luck can help a miserable rascal.

From Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini by Symonds, John Addington

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

I must begin by stating that I do not accept implicitly Shakespeare's angry declarations that his mistress was a mere strumpet.

From The Man Shakespeare by Harris, Frank

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 Shakespeare, William

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 Harrison, William