Meaning & use
woman of ill repute
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Meaning
phrasecountableformalold-fashionedeuphemistic
A woman whose sexual conduct is considered morally unacceptable by society; often a euphemism for a prostitute.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a woman of ill repute' or 'women of ill repute'.
Patterns
- a woman of ill repute
- women of ill repute
In the novel, the main character is wrongly labeled a woman of ill repute.
The charity was founded to help women of ill repute find safer lives.
Word forms
| plural | women of ill repute |
|---|
Common combinations
- a woman of ill repute
- She was unfairly described as a woman of ill repute.
- women of ill repute
- The shelter provided refuge for women of ill repute.
- known as a woman of ill repute
- He was known as a woman of ill repute in the small town.
- accused of being a woman of ill repute
- She was accused of being a woman of ill repute based on rumors.
Synonyms and how they differ
- prostitute
- Direct and literal, not a euphemism; more neutral in modern usage.
- fallen woman
- Similar old-fashioned euphemism, but often implies a single moral lapse rather than ongoing reputation.
- harlot
- Archaic and often offensive; stronger and more literary than 'woman of ill repute'.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses 'woman of ill repute' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase refers to a woman whose sexual conduct is considered immoral, so it fits a historical novel about such a character. The other options misuse the phrase by applying it to positive actions or to a man.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “woman of ill repute”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.