woman of the street

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: - A female person who offers or engages in sexual acts in exchange for money, typically in public spaces. This term is a dated and often derogatory euphemism.

Usage

This term functions solely as a noun. It is used to label or refer to a specific person by their perceived occupation. Its use is generally considered offensive, vulgar, and stigmatizing. - The novel's gritty realism included characters like the desperate woman of the street. - Outdated laws often targeted the woman of the street while ignoring her clients.

Advanced Usage
  • The term is a fixed compound noun (a noun phrase). It is often used in historical, literary, or sociological contexts to describe prostitution, but modern discourse favors more precise or less pejorative terms.
  • It can be used metaphorically to imply moral degradation or public exploitation, though this is also offensive.
    • The politician accused his opponent of selling policies like a woman of the street.
Variants and Related Words
  • Prostitute (n): A neutral, standard term for a person who engages in sexual activity for payment.
  • Sex worker (n): A modern, professional term that is broader and less stigmatizing.
  • Streetwalker (n): A more specific term for a prostitute who solicits clients in public areas.
Synonyms
  • Prostitute
  • Harlot (archaic)
  • Streetwalker
  • Working girl (euphemistic)
Antonyms
  • There is no direct antonym, but concepts opposed in context might include:
    • Celibate
    • Chaste person
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • "Lady of the night": A slightly more poetic, but still euphemistic and dated, synonym.
    • The film noir featured a mysterious lady of the night.
  • "On the streets": A phrase describing the state of engaging in street prostitution.
    • She ended up on the streets to survive.
Noun
  1. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money