hooker
n. countable C1 Advanced US //ˈhʊkɝ// UK //hˈʊkɐ// hook·er
n. a person who sells sex for money. This is an informal and often rude word for a sex worker.
n. a person who engages in sexual activity for payment. Informal and often derogatory in register; generally avoided in professional or academic discourse in favor of 'sex worker'.
The movie tells the story of a hooker in Los Angeles.
The neighborhood was once known for hookers standing on the corners, but it has since been gentrified.
Social workers argue that using terms like hooker can further marginalize vulnerable people who are already facing significant systemic challenges and safety risks.
Usage
Informal and potentially offensive; 'sex worker' is the standard neutral alternative in modern English.