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
Since 1766, its intimate salons have served as an elegant house of pleasure, where courtesans entertained their wealthy aristocratic patrons.
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Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2024
The courtesans were trained in music, etiquette and dance and the women of the area were a social symbol for the elite, with their presence at ceremonies a statement of class and wealth akin to Japan's geishas.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024
And Yuka Kouri, whose character is a courtesan, sparkled in a long-sleeved gown that unzipped on one side to reveal a flash of torso.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
Marquise de Merteuil, betrayed by Valmont, embarks on a daring journey to become Paris’ leading courtesan.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for courtesan 
Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2024
The courtesans were trained in music, etiquette and dance and the women of the area were a social symbol for the elite, with their presence at ceremonies a statement of class and wealth akin to Japan's geishas.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024
And Yuka Kouri, whose character is a courtesan, sparkled in a long-sleeved gown that unzipped on one side to reveal a flash of torso.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
Marquise de Merteuil, betrayed by Valmont, embarks on a daring journey to become Paris’ leading courtesan.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for courtesan
Thesaurus Entries Near courtesan
Cite this Entry
“Courtesan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesan. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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