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Definition of brothel

brothel

/ˈbrɑː.θəl/
broth · el
Plural:brothels
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brothel Lexical Profile

brothel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A house or other establishment where people engage in sexual activity with prostitutes.

Example

"The historical tour of the port district included several buildings that had operated as legal brothels in the nineteenth century."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for brothel

• Nearby Words

broommaker
broomstick
broth
brothel
brothelkeeper
brother
brotherhood

Word Origin & Etymology

Originally from Middle English brothel, meaning a worthless person or prostitute, derived from Old English breothan ('to go to ruin'). In the 16th century, the phrase 'brothel-house' was shortened to 'brothel', shifting the meaning from the person to the building.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Brothel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/brothel
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