Word
harlot
Phoneticshar·lot, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹɫət/
UK/hˈɑːlɒt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a woman who has sex for money. People used this word long ago, and it sounds very rude now.
n. a woman who engages in sexual activity for payment; now chiefly historical or literary and strongly pejorative.
Examples
“People call her a harlot in the old play.”
“The novel portrays her as a harlot shunned by the village, though the story later reveals her kindness.”
“In the old sermon, the preacher uses the image of the harlot not merely as a sinner but as a symbol of moral decay threatening the whole community.”
Examples
simple
“People call her a harlot in the old play.”
contextual
“The novel portrays her as a harlot shunned by the village, though the story later reveals her kindness.”
complex
“In the old sermon, the preacher uses the image of the harlot not merely as a sinner but as a symbol of moral decay threatening the whole community.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “harlot” in context.
Verb
01. condemn harlot
“The court condemned the harlot to public penance and exile.”
verb + noun
02. consort with harlot
“The scriptures warn that to consort with a harlot brings ruin.”
verb + prep + noun
03. denounce harlot
“The prophet publicly denounced the harlot for leading the city astray.”
verb + noun
04. harlot repents
“In the parable, the harlot repents and is granted forgiveness.”
noun + verb
05. harlot seduces
“In Proverbs, the harlot seduces the unwary youth with flattery.”
noun + verb
06. harlot weeps
“In the ballad, the harlot weeps for her lost innocence at dawn.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. painted harlot
“The old novel described a painted harlot lingering by the city gates.”
adj + noun
08. scarlet harlot
“Critics called the character a scarlet harlot symbolizing corruption.”
adj + noun
09. shameless harlot
“The Puritan tract railed against the shameless harlot as a moral warning.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. attire of harlot
“She was described as wearing the attire of a harlot to deceive him.”
noun + prep + noun
11. condemn her as a harlot
“The tribunal sought to condemn her as a harlot and exile her.”
12. dressed as a harlot
“In the novel, she was dressed as a harlot for the masquerade scene.”
Etymology
From Middle English harlot, from Old French harlot, herlot, arlot (“vagabond; tramp”), of obscure origin. Likely to be ultimately of Germanic origin, either from a derivation of harjaz (“army; camp; warrior; military leader”) or from a diminutive of karilaz (“man; fellow”). Compare English carlot.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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