women of ill repute
Ladies of evening
Women of ill repute is a dated euphemism for prostitutes or women considered sexually promiscuous.
The phrase carries a formal, almost legalistic tone that distances the speaker from cruder terms while still conveying moral judgment.
It appears most often in historical contexts or when someone affects an old-fashioned manner of speaking.
The boarding house had a reputation for entertaining women of ill repute.
- prostitutesThose who sell sex
- whoresSex workers for hire
- courtesanPaid aristocratic companion
- tartsFilled pastry shells
- harlotsWomen selling sexual services
strumpets · madam · red-light district · streetwalker · scarlet letter · call girl · escort · demimonde · concubine · hooker · promiscuity · Anna Karenina · adulteress · working girl · oldest profession · temptress · Camille · siren
woman, women, man, men, womanly, womanhood, ill, ills, illness