English · Word Candidate

prostitute

/ˈpɹɒstɪˌtjuːt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: prostitutes · prostituting · prostituted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Taking part in promiscuous sexual activity, licentious; (later, chiefly as attributive use of noun) that is a prostitute.

Adjective

Examples

They rightly say that attacks against prostitute women are common and that it's only when five are murdered in one place that it starts to provoke debate.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Any person (especially a woman) who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A woman who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.

Noun

Examples

Unfortunately, there is to my knowledge no visual evidence for the dress of the Roman prostitute, but the literary sources present us with a range of prostitute clothing (from rich accoutrements all the way down to nothing), […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To offer (oneself or someone else) for sexual activity in exchange for money.

Verb

Examples

Do not prostitute thy daughter.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “prostitute” mean?

Taking part in promiscuous sexual activity, licentious; (later, chiefly as attributive use of noun) that is a prostitute.

Is “prostitute” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.