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1

prostitute

play
verb pros·ti·tute \ˈpräs-tə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt\

Definition of prostitute

prostituted

;

prostituting
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to offer indiscriminately for sexual intercourse especially for money

  3. 2 :  to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes :  debase prostitute one's talents

prostitutor

play \-ˌtü-tər, -ˌtyü-\ noun

See prostitute defined for English-language learners

See prostitute defined for kids

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Words With London Origins

Examples of prostitute in a Sentence

  1. a writer who prostituted his talents by writing commercials

  2. a serious writer prostituting himself by writing pulp novels for money

Origin and Etymology of prostitute

Latin prostitutus, past participle of prostituere, from pro- before + statuere to station — more at pro-, statute


First Known Use: 1530

prostitute Synonyms

Synonyms
abase, bastardize, canker, cheapen, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, deteriorate, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, debase, subvert, vitiate, warp
Antonyms
elevate, ennoble, uplift
Related Words
befoul, begrime, contaminate, defile, dilute, dirty, pollute, taint, thin, water down, weaken; descend; disgrace, dishonor, humble, humiliate, shame, take down; blemish, damage, deface, destroy, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, mar, ruin, spoil, stain, tarnish, wreck; depreciate, downgrade
Near Antonyms
dignify, exalt, honor; ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect; clarify, clean, cleanse, purify, refine, restore; respect
2

prostitute

adjective pros·ti·tute

Definition of prostitute

  1. :  devoted to corrupt purposes :  prostituted

1563

First Known Use of prostitute

1563

3

prostitute

noun pros·ti·tute

Definition of prostitute

  1. 1a :  a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse especially for money :  whoreb :  a male who engages in sexual and especially homosexual practices for money

  2. 2 :  a person (such as a writer or painter) who deliberately debases his or her talents (as for money)

See prostitute defined for English-language learners

Examples of prostitute in a Sentence

  1. the town was horrified to discover that she had once been a prostitute

1607

First Known Use of prostitute

1607

prostitute Synonyms

Synonyms
bawd, call girl, cocotte, courtesan, drab, harlot, hooker, hustler, sex worker, streetwalker, strumpet, tart, whore, woman of the street
Related Words
madam, madame; white slave; bimbo [slang], chippie (also chippy), doxy (also doxie), floozy (or floozie), tramp; bitch, hussy, jade, minx; coquette, flirt, libertine, siren, tempter, temptress, vamp, wench

PROSTITUTE Defined for English Language Learners

prostitute

play
verb

Definition of prostitute for English Language Learners

  • : to use (something valuable, such as talent) in a way that is not appropriate or respectable and especially to earn money

prostitute

noun

Definition of prostitute for English Language Learners

  • : a person who has sex with someone in exchange for money

Law Dictionary

1

prostitute

noun pros·ti·tute \ˈpräs-tə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt\

Legal Definition of prostitute

  1. :  a person who engages in sexual activity indiscriminately especially for money — compare panderer, pimp

2

prostitute

transitive verb pros·ti·tute

Legal Definition of prostitute

prostituted

prostituting

  1. :  to offer as a prostitute

Origin and Etymology of prostitute

Latin prostitutus, past participle of prostituere, from pro- before + statuere to cause to stand, place

Phrases Related to PROSTITUTE

Related Phrases

Learn More about prostitute

  1. See words that rhyme with prostitute Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prostitute Spanish Central: Translation of prostitute Nglish: Translation of prostitute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prostitute for Arabic speakers

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Examples: prostitute in a Sentence