prostitute

[ pros-ti-toot, -tyoot ]

noun

1. a person who engages in sexual intercourse or other sex acts for money; sex worker.

   Synonyms: strumpet, trollop, courtesan, streetwalker, call girl

2. a person who willingly uses their talent or ability in a base and unworthy way, usually for money.

verb (used with object)

, pros·ti·tut·ed, pros·ti·tut·ing.

1. to sell or offer (oneself) to provide sex acts for money.
2. to put to any base or unworthy use:

   to prostitute one's talents.

prostitute

/ ˈprɒstɪˌtjuːt /

noun

1. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
2. a man who engages in such activity, esp in homosexual practices
3. a person who offers his talent or work for unworthy purposes

verb

1. to offer (oneself or another) in sexual intercourse for money
2. to offer (a person, esp oneself, or a person's talent) for unworthy purposes

Derived Forms

• ˈprostiˌtutor, noun
• ˌprostiˈtution, noun

Other Words From

• pros·ti·tu·tor noun
• un·pros·ti·tut·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prostitute¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin prōstitūta and prōstitūtus, noun uses of feminine and masculine forms of prōstitūtus, past participle of prōstituere “to place before, expose (for sale),” equivalent to prō- “before” + -stitū-, combining form of statuere “to make stand” + -tus past participle suffix; pro- ¹, status

Word History and Origins

Origin of prostitute¹

C16: from Latin prōstituere to expose to prostitution, from prō- in public + statuere to cause to stand

Example Sentences

Foreigners commonly, but mistakenly, suppose that "Yoshiwara" means "Prostitute Quarter."

From Project Gutenberg

Very soon, however, ladies gave up the use of the mask, and "Vizard-mask" became a synonym for "Prostitute."

From Project Gutenberg

King Solomon (understanding a hot Prostitute) tells us, Prov.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman who becomes a Prostitute is looked upon as a heroine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• debase
• demean
• pervert