Etymology

• From Latin prostitutum, past participle of prostituere, from prefix pro-, "for" or "before", + statuere (turns into -stituere with prefixes appended), "to set up or erect".

Noun

1. A person who performs sexual activity for payment
2. A person who is perceived as engaging in sexual activity with many people.
3. A person who does, or offers to do, an activity for money, despite personal dislike or dishonour

Synonyms

Verb

1. To perform sexual activity for money
2. To make another person, or organisation, prostitute themselves.

Related terms

• prostitution
• male prostitute
• child prostitute
• boy prostitute