Definition
People who exchange sexual services for money; also used as a verb meaning to use one's talents for unworthy purposes.
Etymology
From Latin 'prostituta' (exposed publicly), derived from 'pro-' (before, publicly) and 'statuere' (to set, place). The term has been used since ancient times for this exchange of services.
Kelly Says
The word 'prostitute' also means betraying your abilities—'he prostituted his talent'—which reveals that the original insult wasn't just about the trade but about *wasting potential*. The metaphorical meaning shows how judgment gets attached to words.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
ሴት ንብረት
set n-bre-t
ARالعربية
مُتجرّبات
moo-te-j-ra-bat
BNবাংলা
বৃত্তিশ্রমিকা
britt-ish-rom-ika
CACatalà
prostituïdes
proh-stit-oo-ee-des
CSČeština
prostituce
proh-stit-oo-tse
DADansk
prostituerede
proh-stit-oo-reh-deh
DEDeutsch
Prostituierte
proh-stit-oo-ir-tuh
ELΕλληνικά
συνοικίστρια
see-noh-kee-stree-ah
ESEspañol
prostitutas
proh-stit-oo-tahs
FAفارسی
prostitute
proh-stit-oo-tay
FISuomi
prostituoitu
proh-stit-oo-ee-too
FRFrançais
prostituées
proh-stit-oo-ay
HAHA
matan aure
ma-tan au-re
HIहिन्दी
वेश्याएँ
vehs-ya-en
HUMagyar
prostituálók
proh-stit-oo-ah-lok
IDBahasa Indonesia
pelacur
pe-la-kur
IGIG
nwanyi a na-akwụ ụmụ
nwanyi a na-akwu umu
ITItaliano
prostitute
proh-stit-oo-tay
KMKM
ស្ត្រី លក់ ស្រី
s-trai lok sri
KO한국어
성매매 여성
seong-mae-mae yeoseong
MSBahasa Melayu
pelacur
pe-la-kur
NLNederlands
prostituees
proh-stit-oo-ays
NONorsk
prostituerte
proh-stit-oo-reh-teh
PLPolski
prostitucje
proh-stit-oo-ch-ye
PTPortuguês
prostitutas
proh-stit-oo-tahss
RORomână
prostituate
proh-stit-oo-ah-teh
RUРусский
проститутки
proh-stit-oo-tky
SVSvenska
prostituerade
proh-stit-oo-ah-ray-deh
SWKiswahili
wanawake wa uasherati
wa-na-wa-ke wa u-a-sha-ra-ti
TAதமிழ்
வ prostituti
va proh-stit-oo-tee
TEతెలుగు
విక్రియ
vi-kri-ya
THไทย
หญิงขายบริการ
ying-kai-bai-bann-kan
TLTL
mga babaeng nagbebenta ng seks
mga ba-ba-eng na-gbe-ben-ta ng seks
TRTürkçe
fahişeler
fah-i-sheh-ler
UKУкраїнська
проститутки
proh-stit-oo-tky
URاردو
خواتین
kha-wa-teen
VITiếng Việt
người bán dâm
ngoo-bay-dam
YOYO
Obirin ti n gbe
o-bee-rin ti n gbe
ZUZU
izigqili
ee-zee-g-kee-lee
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Gendered historically as 'fallen women' with moral judgment baked in. Male sex workers called by service term ('escort'); female term carries shame. Language used to justify criminalization of women.
Inclusive Usage
Use neutral term: 'sex workers' or 'people in sex work.' Distinguish between consensual sex work and trafficking.
Inclusive Alternatives
["sex workers","people in sex work"]
Empowerment Note
Sex worker rights movements assert dignity and labor rights. Removing gendered stigma from language supports autonomy and safety.