bawd: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Archaic / Very Low FrequencyArchaic, Literary, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “bawd” mean?
A person, historically a woman, who runs a brothel or procures sex workers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, historically a woman, who runs a brothel or procures sex workers.
In contemporary usage, can be used disparagingly for any person involved in or associated with the sex trade, especially in a managerial or exploitative role.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally archaic and rare in both dialects. No significant regional difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations of immorality and exploitation in both.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. It might be slightly more recognised in British English due to its presence in older British literature (e.g., Shakespeare).
Grammar
How to Use “bawd” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] bawd VERBed...She was accused of being a bawd.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bawd” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To bawd (verb) is an extremely rare, obsolete action meaning to procure or pander.
American English
- The verb form 'to bawd' is essentially extinct.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial form.
American English
- No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The bawdy (related adjective, not 'bawd') humour of the play shocked the Victorians.
American English
- Same as British. 'Bawd' itself is not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or gender studies contexts to describe a specific social/economic role.
Everyday
Almost never used in modern conversation.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bawd”
- Mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'loud' (/baʊd/). It rhymes with 'lord'.
- Using it to refer to a prostitute instead of the manager/owner.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic word. You will almost never hear it in modern conversation, except perhaps in historical discussions or as a very old-fashioned insult.
Historically, it was strongly associated with women (a 'procures'). However, in its broadest archaic sense, it could be applied to any person fulfilling that role, though male equivalents like 'pander' or 'whoremonger' were more common.
A 'bawd' is the manager, owner, or procurer for sex workers. A 'prostitute' is the sex worker themselves. The bawd profits from the work of others.
Yes, they are etymologically related. 'Bawdy' (adjective meaning humorously lewd or obscene) derives from 'bawd'. A 'bawdy house' was another term for a brothel.
A person, historically a woman, who runs a brothel or procures sex workers.
Bawd is usually archaic, literary, pejorative in register.
Bawd: in British English it is pronounced /bɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɔːd/ or /bɑːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'bawd' as related to 'bawdy' (lewd humor) – a bawd runs a 'bawdy house'.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORALITY IS FILTH (the bawd is seen as a corrupting, dirty figure).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary role of a 'bawd'?