whore
whore Lexical Profile
whore Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who engages in sexual activity for payment; a prostitute (usually considered derogatory or offensive, except in historical contexts).
"The seventeenth-century play featured characters from all walks of life, including noblemen, merchants, and a sympathetic whore."
A person who compromises their principles, integrity, or talent for money, fame, or personal gain.
"Critics accused the politician of being a corporate whore who voted purely in favor of his wealthiest donors."
• verb
To debase oneself or compromise one's artistic or moral integrity for money or status (often used with 'out').
"The indie band refused to whore out their music for television commercials."
To work as a prostitute or consort with prostitutes.
"In the novel, the disgraced heir spent his inheritance drinking and whoring in the port taverns."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary usage, this term is considered highly derogatory and vulgar when directed at a person, though it frequently appears in historical literature or figuratively (e.g., 'whore out') to criticize commercial sellouts.
• Rhymes for whore
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'hore', of Proto-Germanic origin, ultimately sharing the Proto-Indo-European root *ka- meaning 'to desire' with the Latin 'carus' (dear).