woman of ill repute

noun phrase

plural women of ill repute
disparaging
: a woman who engages in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay : a woman who is a sex worker

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woman of ill repute was in 1720

Dictionary Entries Near woman of ill repute

Cite this Entry

“Woman of ill repute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woman%20of%20ill%20repute. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!