Definition

1. Noun:
   • A woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money: This is a dated and often euphemistic term for a prostitute.
   • A young woman who is employed: This is a neutral, though somewhat dated, term for a woman who works, especially in a non-domestic job.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Prostitute):

  • The novel's protagonist was a working girl trying to survive in the city.
  • The term "working girl" was often used as a euphemism in older films.

• Noun (Employed woman):

  • As a working girl, she balanced her career and personal life.
  • The magazine offered advice for the modern working girl.

Advanced Usage

• The meaning is highly dependent on context. In contemporary usage, the term for a prostitute is considered archaic and potentially offensive, while the term for an employed woman is dated but neutral.
• The phrase often carries connotations about the type of work (e.g., clerical, secretarial) or the woman's independence when used in the "employed" sense.

Variants and Related Words

• Workwoman (n): A female worker, especially in a manual trade. (Neutral, but rare).
• Working woman (n): A more modern and common phrase for an employed woman, less likely to be misinterpreted.

Synonyms

• For "prostitute": sex worker, prostitute, courtesan (historical).
• For "employed woman": career woman, employed woman, professional woman.

Related Phrases

• Nine-to-five girl: A woman who works standard office hours. (Informal, dated).
• Career girl: A woman focused on her professional advancement. (Somewhat dated).

Notes on Usage

• CRITICAL: Due to its dual and very different meanings, this term requires careful contextual use. In modern English, it is often avoided to prevent misunderstanding.
• The "employed woman" sense was more common in mid-20th-century language (e.g., in advertising, magazines). Today, "working woman" or specific job titles are preferred for clarity.
• The "prostitute" sense is a euphemism and its use can be seen as trivializing or demeaning.

Noun

1. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
2. a young woman who is employed