prostitute

verb

prostituted; prostituting; prostitutes

transitive verb

1

sometimes offensive : to offer (someone) for sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay

—often used in the phrase to prostitute oneself

2

: to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes : debase

prostitute one's talents

—often used in the phrase to prostitute oneself

a playwright who prostituted himself by writing commercials

Never mind the knowing smirks about how candidates have always prostituted themselves to special interests …

—Andrew Coyne

intransitive verb

sometimes offensive

: to act as a sex worker : to offer oneself for sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay

When she prostituted, she worked as a call girl …

—Joanne Meyerowitz

see usage paragraph at prostitute entry 1

prostitutor

ˈprä-stə-ˌtü-tər 

-ˌtyü-

noun

plural prostitutors

Synonyms of prostitute

• corrupt
• pervert
• debauch
• poison
• humiliate
• degrade
• deteriorate
• subvert
• disgrace

Examples of prostitute in a Sentence

a writer who prostituted his talents by writing commercials

a serious writer prostituting himself by writing pulp novels for money

Recent Examples on the Web

Compare that to how Bondi prostituted the Justice Department to a vengeful president and bungled the entire Epstein matter. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

At least two women who were prostituted and abused by Epstein and his clients had Colorado connections. —Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026

Driscoll said that Combs did not make any money from prostituting women and so he could not be classed as a pimp and should face a lesser sentence under the Act. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Best friends, transgender women, and prostitutes Sin-Dee and Alexandra (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor) catch up at a Los Angeles doughnut joint on Christmas Day. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for prostitute

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Kids Definition

prostitute

1 of 2 verb

pros·​ti·​tute ˈpräs-tə-ˌt(y)üt 

prostituted; prostituting

: to put (as one's talents) to unworthy uses : debase

prostitute

2 of 2 noun

sometimes offensive

: a person who engages in sexual activities for money

Legal Definition

prostitute

1 of 2 noun

pros·​ti·​tute

ˈpräs-tə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt

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

prostitute

2 of 2 transitive verb

prostituted; prostituting

: to offer as a prostitute

Etymology

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