Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person, typically a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment: A prostitute is someone who receives money or other payment in exchange for sexual services.

2. Verb:

   • To offer (oneself or one's talents) for unworthy purposes, especially for money: The verb form means to misuse or degrade something of value, such as one's abilities or principles, typically for financial gain. Its most literal meaning is to engage in or solicit prostitution.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The novel features a character who is a prostitute.
  • Laws regarding prostitutes vary widely from country to country.

• Verb:

  • He refused to prostitute his artistic integrity by writing advertisements. (Figurative use)
  • She was forced to prostitute herself to survive. (Literal use)

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term is often considered derogatory or stigmatizing. More neutral or formal terms include sex worker or commercial sex worker.
• The verb form is frequently used in a figurative sense to describe the debasement of something noble (e.g., talent, ideals, an institution) for base motives like money or fame.
  • Critics accused the famous scientist of prostituting his reputation by endorsing the questionable product.

Variants and Related Words

• Prostitution (n): The practice or business of engaging in sexual activity for payment.
  • The city has laws against prostitution.
• Prostituted (adj): Describing something that has been degraded or misused.
  • He viewed the commercialized holiday as a prostituted tradition.

Synonyms

• Noun: sex worker, courtesan (historical), escort, harlot (archaic), whore (vulgar).
• Verb (figurative): debase, degrade, misuse, sell out, cheapen.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To prostitute oneself:
  • This phrase can be used both literally and figuratively.
  • Literal: In desperate poverty, some are driven to prostitute themselves.
  • Figurative: The politician was accused of prostituting himself to corporate lobbyists.

Noun

1. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money

Verb

1. sell one's body; exchange sex for money