prostitute

The word "prostitute" is usually used for a person who has sex with others in exchange for money. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to use oneself, another person, or even a talent in a low or shameful way for money or some other benefit. The word often carries a strong negative tone, so it should be used with care.

In everyday reading, you may also see broader and less judgmental terms such as "sex worker," especially when people are talking about work, law, or social issues. In a figurative sense, "to prostitute oneself" means to give up one's values or dignity for gain, as in someone using their talent only for money.

"Prostitute" is a word most often used for a person who offers sexual services in exchange for money. It can refer to a woman, a man, or any person, though in many texts it has historically been used more often for women. The term is old and widely understood, but it often sounds harsh, judgmental, or stigmatizing in modern English.

The word also works as a verb. In its literal sense, it means to offer sexual services for payment or to cause another person to do so. In its figurative sense, it means to misuse or lower the value of oneself, one's beliefs, or one's abilities for money, power, or some other reward. For example, a writer might say that an artist "prostituted" his talent by using it only to chase profit.

Because the word carries strong social meaning, many people now choose terms like "sex worker" in neutral or professional discussion. Even so, "prostitute" still appears often in history, literature, news reports, and legal writing. To understand it well, it helps to see both sides of its use: the direct meaning about exchanging sex for payment, and the broader figurative meaning about giving up dignity, values, or talent for gain.