as in prostitute
a woman who engages in sexual activities for money
the protagonist of the novel is a composite of several real-life courtesans who plied their trade among the decadent aristocracy
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Recent Examples of courtesan
Later, Cellini is invited to a dinner and shows up with a young man dressed as a woman; the courtesan, his lover at the time, is also at the dinner, which leads to an enormously violent scene.
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Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Discovered in 1929 by the German astronomer Karl Reinmuth, it is named after the Spanish courtesan and dancer Carolina Otero.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Aug. 2025
At the center of the plot are Christian, an aspiring composer with new bohemian friends, and Satine, a classy courtesan who has risen to cabaret stardom at the Moulin Rouge, which itself is in financial trouble under its impresario, Zidler.
Complications ensue.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
Immerse yourself in the world of Violetta, a determined and famed courtesan, who abandons everything for love.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtesan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesan
Noun
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The following year, he was suspended from baseball and sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to charges of cocaine possession and soliciting a prostitute.—
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During that time, Wuornos was working as a prostitute to support both herself and her girlfriend, Tyria Moore.—
Noun
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Three other Scottish squad reinforcements -- lock Gregor Brown, hooker Ewan Ashman and prop Rory Sutherland -- were named on the bench.—
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Strip clubs, booze, hookers, blow, the whole nine yards.—
Cite this Entry
“Courtesan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesan. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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