cathouse
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A brothel; a building where prostitutes are available for hire. This is a slang term, primarily used in American English, for a house of prostitution.
Usage
- This word is a slang term and is considered vulgar and offensive in formal or polite contexts. It is used to refer directly and crudely to a brothel.
- It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- The old part of town was once known for its cathouses.
- In the old western movie, the saloon was often next to the cathouse.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes be used metaphorically or humorously in very informal settings to describe a place perceived as chaotic or with many cats, but this is non-standard and relies on a pun. Its primary and understood meaning is always related to prostitution.
- After adopting three strays, my apartment is turning into a real cathouse! (Informal, jocular)
Variants and Related Words
- Brothel (n.): The standard, more formal term for the same establishment.
- Whorehouse (n.): Another vulgar slang synonym.
- Bordello (n.): A term that can sometimes carry connotations of a more luxurious or organized establishment.
- House of ill repute: A dated, euphemistic phrase.
Synonyms
- Brothel
- Whorehouse (vulgar)
- Bordello
- Bawdy house
- Sporting house (dated)
Antonyms
- There are no direct antonyms, but conceptually opposite places would include convent, monastery, or family home.
Related Idioms or Phrases
- No direct idioms feature this specific slang term. Related concepts might be referred to with euphemisms like
Noun
- a building where prostitutes are available