demimonde

American  

[dem-ee-mond, duh-mee-mawnd] / ˈdɛm iˌmɒnd, də miˈmɔ̃d /

noun

1. (especially during the last half of the 19th century) a class of women who have lost their standing in respectable society because of indiscreet behavior or sexual promiscuity.

2. a demimondaine.

3. prostitutes or courtesans in general.

4. a group whose activities are ethically or legally questionable.

   a demimonde of investigative journalists writing for the sensationalist tabloids.

5. a group characterized by lack of success or status.

   the literary demimonde.

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demimonde British  

/ ˌdɛmɪˈmɒnd, dəmimɔ̃d /

noun

1. (esp in the 19th century) those women considered to be outside respectable society, esp on account of sexual promiscuity

2. any social group considered to be not wholly respectable

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Etymology

Origin of demimonde

1850–55; < French, equivalent to demi- demi- + monde world (< Latin mundus )

Example Sentences

It was all a stimulating change from opera-house productions, which often lean on 18th-century elegance instead of exploring the seamy underside and corruption of the demimonde that is at the heart of the piece.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

French bulldogs have a colorful, centuries-long history involving English lacemakers, the Parisian demimonde and Gilded Age American tourists who brought the dogs home.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2023

In the first act, Alfredo warns Violetta, “The way you’re living will kill you,” which makes no sense if, as here, the opening scene has all the demimonde danger of a Hamptons garden party.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2023

I call this demimonde of deceit and self-deceit "Concussion Inc."

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2023

Where the fair young ladies of the Southern aristocracy were wearing Secession rosettes as big as a rose, the women of the demimonde sported them as big as a dahlia or sunflower.

From The Struggle for Missouri by McElroy, John