scarlet woman

Definition

• Noun:
  • A promiscuous or immoral woman: "scarlet woman" is a derogatory term for a woman who is considered sexually immoral or unfaithful, often used in a historical or biblical context. It derives from the "Whore of Babylon" in the Book of Revelation, who is described as wearing scarlet.

Usage Examples

• (The main character was depicted as a sexually immoral woman.)
• (She would be socially condemned for breaking moral codes.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be branded a scarlet woman": to be publicly condemned as immoral.

  • After the affair was revealed, she was branded a scarlet woman by the gossip columns. (She was publicly shamed for her actions.)

• "Scarlet woman" can be used metaphorically to describe any person or entity seen as seductive or corrupting.

  • The tabloid press called the actress a scarlet woman for her multiple marriages. (They accused her of being morally loose.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scarlet (adj): a bright red color, often associated with sin or passion.
  • She wore a scarlet dress to the party. (A bright red dress.)
• Woman (n): an adult female human.
  • The woman walked down the street. (An adult female.)

Synonyms

• Harlot: a woman who engages in sex for money; a prostitute.
• Tramp: a derogatory term for a promiscuous woman.
• Fallen woman: a historical euphemism for a woman who has lost her virtue.

Related Idioms

• Scarlet letter: a symbol of shame or sin, from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel , where an adulterous woman must wear a red "A" on her chest.
  • She felt as if she were wearing a scarlet letter after the rumors spread. (She felt publicly disgraced.)
• Painted woman: an old-fashioned term for a woman who wears heavy makeup, often implying immorality.
  • The townsfolk whispered about the painted woman who lived alone. (They suspected her of loose morals.)