Definition & Meaning
- Whore (noun, vulgar/derogatory): Traditionally refers to a person (usually a woman) who engages in sexual activity for money; essentially, a synonym for prostitute.
- Figurative meaning: A person who sacrifices integrity, dignity, or loyalty for personal gain (e.g., “a publicity whore”).
- It is a highly offensive term when used as an insult, though it appears in literature, historical texts, and slang.
Etymology: From Old English hōre meaning “prostitute” or “adulteress.”
Pronunciation
- /hɔːr/ (British)
- /hɔːr/ or /hʊr/ (American)
- Rhymes with more and store.
Grammatical Formation
- Singular: whore
- Plural: whores
- Verb (slang): to whore (out) — to exploit oneself or others for money or attention.
- Adjective: whorish (derogatory).
Word Comparisons
- Whore vs. Prostitute: Prostitute is the neutral/clinical term; whore is vulgar, derogatory, and insulting.
- Whore vs. Slut: Whore implies exchanging sex for money; slut implies promiscuity without necessarily involving money.
- Whore vs. Escort: Escort is often used as a polite or euphemistic term for sex work.
Prepositional Usage
- Whore for: “He called her a whore for attention.”
- Whore out: “The company whored out its values for profit.”
- Whore with: “The novel depicts a man who spends his life with whores.”
Real-Life Examples
- “The medieval text condemned her as a whore, though she was simply independent.”
- “The scandal painted him as a publicity whore, always seeking attention.”
- “She refused to be treated like a whore, demanding respect for her work.”
Common Collocations
- dirty whore
- cheap whore
- attention whore
- publicity whore
- whore house (brothel, old-fashioned term)
- whore oneself out
Idiomatic / Figurative Usage
- Attention whore: Someone who constantly seeks attention.
- Publicity whore: A person who does anything for fame.
- Whore out (oneself/ideas): To exploit one’s body, reputation, or values for gain.
- Literary usage: In Shakespearean plays, the term “whore” is often used as an insult.
Synonyms
prostitute, sex worker, harlot, courtesan, strumpet, call girl (neutral), escort (neutral/euphemistic), tart
Antonyms
virgin, nun, chaste woman, lady, pure-hearted person
Related Terms
- Prostitution (the practice of engaging in sex work)
- Brothel (a house where prostitution occurs)
- Escort service (a business that may provide companionship and sex work)
- Slut-shaming (related but not identical; slut = promiscuity, whore = sex for money)
Connection to Sexuality
Yes. The word whore is directly tied to sexuality because it describes sex work or, insultingly, promiscuous behavior. It is heavily stigmatized in everyday speech. However, some activists and sex-positive movements reclaim such terms to challenge stigma against sex workers and women’s sexuality.
Sample Sentences
- “The character was insulted as a whore in the old play.”
- “He’s such a publicity whore, always chasing cameras.”
- “The tabloid headline cruelly branded her a cheap whore.”
- “The company was accused of whoring out its values for money.”
Sexopedia.co is an educational glossary of sexual and gender-related terms—helping you improve your English while deepening your understanding of identity, language, and self-expression.