ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prostitute

n. · v.
US //ˈpɹɑstəˌtut// UK //pɹˈɒstɪtjˌuːt// pros·ti·tute
  1. 1 sex worker (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person who receives money in exchange for sexual activity.

    a person who engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts for financial compensation.

    Example

    The city is looking for new ways to protect prostitutes from violence on the streets.

    Example

    Sociologists have long debated the economic and social factors that drive individuals to work as prostitutes in urban environments.
  2. 2 metaphorical use (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    someone who gives up their principles or does something dishonest just to make money.

    a person who sacrifices their integrity, artistic talent, or principles for personal gain or financial profit.

    Example

    He felt like a prostitute for writing advertisements for a company he hated.

    Example

    The critic accused the novelist of being a literary prostitute for abandoning his unique style to write predictable bestsellers.
  3. 3 to sell sex (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to offer yourself or another person for sex in exchange for money.

    to offer oneself or another for sexual activity in exchange for payment. Often used reflexively or transitively.

    Example

    The desperate character in the book was forced to prostitute herself to survive.

    Example

    The investigation uncovered a criminal network that forced vulnerable migrants to prostitute themselves in various cities across the country.

    Usage

    Often used in the form 'to prostitute oneself'.

  4. 4 to misuse talent (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to use your skills or beliefs in a bad way just to get money or an advantage.

    to debase or misuse one's talents, skills, or principles for unworthy purposes or financial gain.

    Example

    She refused to prostitute her artistic talents by painting cheap souvenirs.

    Example

    The senator was accused of prostituting his high office to serve the interests of wealthy corporate donors.
Origin

From Latin prōstitūtus, past participle of prōstituō, from prō̆ (“for, before”) + statuō (“to set up, to erect”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026