harlot

American  

[hahr-luht] / ˈhɑr lət /

noun

Archaic.

1. a prostitute or sexually promiscuous woman.

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harlot British  

/ ˈhɑːlət /

noun

1. a prostitute or promiscuous woman

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adjective

1. archaic of or like a harlot

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• harlotry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of harlot

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English: “young idler, rogue,” from Old French herlot, of obscure origin

Explanation

Harlot is an old-fashioned word for a prostitute — a woman who has sex for money. These days, calling a woman a harlot is usually done humorously. This word is too old-sounding and unusual to be very insulting. Still, you shouldn't call anyone a harlot, because it's a term — just like "whore," "strumpet," and "lady of the night" — for a woman who has sex for money. That's never been a compliment, even though today the world's oldest profession has a much nicer term: sex worker.

Example Sentences

The executive chef at Harlot in Shaw will crack some eggs — along with cheeky puns — during his live-streamed cooking demos on Cookology Recreational Culinary School’s Facebook page.

From Washington Post • May 13, 2020

She’d been playing with a band called Trae & Company Neo-Soul every Wednesday night at Harlot DC, a lounge that opened late last year.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2020

There are 19th-century models with whalebone stays, a modern-day red and black rubber corset by House of Harlot, and one worn by burlesque artist Dita Von Teese with a wince-inducing 18-inch waist.

From US News • Apr. 13, 2016

Born in Scotland, Bain launched himself on the London music scene with his band, Harlot, before being approached by Ritchie Blackmore to join Rainbow.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2016

“If the scheme,” he says, “which I set forth in these pages is not applicable to the Thief, the Harlot, the Drunkard, and the Sluggard, it may as well be dismissed without ceremony.”

From Salvation Syrup; Or, Light On Darkest England by Foote, G. W. (George William)