house of ill repute: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, euphemistic, literary, dated
Quick answer
What does “house of ill repute” mean?
A euphemistic and somewhat dated term for a brothel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A euphemistic and somewhat dated term for a brothel.
Any establishment or place regarded as being of low moral standing, though its primary meaning is unequivocally a brothel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The phrase itself is old-fashioned in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a bygone era of more rigid social morals and formal language. It can be used ironically in modern speech.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary spoken or written English in both regions, reserved for specific stylistic or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “house of ill repute” in a Sentence
[The/Det] house of ill repute [V-eroded the neighbourhood's moral fabric/V-was shut down by the authorities].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “house of ill repute” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The premises were alleged to house activities of ill repute.
American English
- The building was suspected of housing an operation of ill repute.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Possibly in historical, sociological, or legal studies discussing prostitution or Victorian society.
Everyday
Virtually never used in genuine everyday conversation; might be used for humorous or dramatic effect.
Technical
Not used in modern legal or technical documents; archaic legal term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “house of ill repute”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house of ill repute”
- Using it in modern, casual contexts sounds bizarre. Incorrectly pluralising as 'houses of ill reputes' (the 'ill repute' applies to the 'house', not pluralised).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a euphemism, so it was intended to be more polite than blunt terms like 'whorehouse'. However, due to its archaic nature, it now sounds more quaint or humorous than genuinely polite.
Only with great caution. In normal conversation, it would sound strange and overly formal. It is suitable for historical writing, legal history, or intentional humour/irony.
'Brothel' is the standard, direct, and modern term. 'House of ill repute' is an old-fashioned euphemism that carries stylistic connotations of a past era.
No, 'ill repute' can describe any person or place with a bad reputation. However, the fixed phrase 'house of ill repute' specifically and exclusively means a brothel.
A euphemistic and somewhat dated term for a brothel.
House of ill repute is usually formal, euphemistic, literary, dated in register.
House of ill repute: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs əv ˌɪl rɪˈpjuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs əv ˌɪl rɪˈpjuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A den of iniquity (related in concept but broader)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ill repute' as 'bad reputation' – a 'house with a bad reputation' is a polite, old-fashioned way to say brothel.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY IS CLEANLINESS / IMMORALITY IS FILTH ('ill' repute). A BUILDING FOR AN ACTIVITY (the house contains/represents the activity).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'house of ill repute' be MOST naturally used today?