Synonyms of courtesans

courtesans

noun

plural of courtesan

as in prostitutes

a woman who engages in sexual activities for money

the protagonist of the novel is a composite of several real-life courtesans who plied their trade among the decadent aristocracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prostitutes
• hookers
• streetwalkers
• bawds
• tarts
• sex workers
• madams
• call girls
• hustlers
• cocottes
• women of the street
• drabs
• madames
• sirens
• hussies
• tramps
• libertines
• floozies
• temptresses
• coquettes
• tempters
• flirts
• minxes
• wenches
• jades
• chippies
• vamps
• doxies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of courtesans

If the record is to be believed, courtesans were the glamor girls of old Shanghai. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2026

The colorful artworks largely depict the sensual hedonistic lifestyles of city dwellers including merchants, courtesans and kabuki actors. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

The workers at Sheri’s Ranch, who call themselves courtesans, were given a new contract in December that would give the brothel control over their intellectual property and power of attorney. — Jessica Hill, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026

Annoyed with her nephew’s behavior, the Vicomte’s aunt, Madame de Rosemonde (Diane Kruger), mentors Isabelle and boldly transforms her into one of Paris’ leading courtesans. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025

The victims are local teenagers, seized in roundups, while the courtesans, whose ghastly storytelling each night inspires the action, are like camp followers, the guards collaborators. — Harpers Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025