strip club: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Neutral, sometimes Euphemistic
Quick answer
What does “strip club” mean?
A commercial establishment where performers (strippers) remove some or all of their clothing in a sexually suggestive performance for paying customers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A commercial establishment where performers (strippers) remove some or all of their clothing in a sexually suggestive performance for paying customers.
The term can also be used metonymically to refer to the adult entertainment industry, to describe a situation with an overtly sexual or revealing atmosphere, or in legal/planning contexts as a zoning classification for businesses offering adult entertainment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is standard in both varieties. The British may occasionally use 'gentlemen's club' as a more formal or euphemistic alternative, though this can also refer to private social clubs.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: associated with adult entertainment, nightlife, bachelor parties, and sometimes with organised crime. Considered slightly taboo or controversial in mainstream discourse.
Frequency
The term is equally common in both UK and US English, given the prevalence of such establishments.
Grammar
How to Use “strip club” in a Sentence
[verb] a strip clubthe strip club [verb phrase][adjective] strip clubVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strip club” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council voted to strip-club the entire district, banning new venues.
- They're trying to strip-club the high street, which locals oppose.
American English
- The city ordinance effectively strip-clubbed the old industrial zone.
- They didn't want to strip-club the neighbourhood.
adverb
British English
- The dancers moved strip-club slow to the music.
- He grinned strip-club sly.
American English
- She danced strip-club style for her friends as a joke.
- The lights flashed strip-club bright.
adjective
British English
- He had a sort of strip-club mentality about business.
- The décor was decidedly strip-club chic.
American English
- The party had a real strip-club vibe to it.
- He made a strip-club joke that fell flat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions of licensing, zoning laws, hospitality, and nightlife economics.
Academic
Used in sociological, gender studies, or urban planning research on sex work and entertainment.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation, often with humour or disapproval, e.g., discussing a night out or a controversial business.
Technical
Used in legal statutes, police reports, and city planning documents as a specific category of adult entertainment venue.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strip club”
- Using 'strip club' as a verb (e.g., 'We strippclubbed last night' is incorrect).
- Misspelling as one word: 'stripclub'. The standard form is two words.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a standard, neutral term for the establishment, but the subject itself is often considered sensitive or taboo. In formal or polite conversation, euphemisms like 'gentlemen's club' or 'adult entertainment venue' might be used.
No, 'strip club' is exclusively a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to strip club') is non-standard and would be considered an error or a very informal neologism.
Historically, burlesque focuses on theatrical performance, comedy, and stylised striptease often with elaborate costumes and narrative. A modern strip club typically focuses more explicitly on erotic dancing and nudity for direct customer gratification in a club setting.
Yes, the term is virtually identical in meaning, frequency, and connotation in both major varieties of English. Any differences are minor and relate to local licensing laws or alternative euphemisms.
A commercial establishment where performers (strippers) remove some or all of their clothing in a sexually suggestive performance for paying customers.
Strip club is usually informal, neutral, sometimes euphemistic in register.
Strip club: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrɪp ˌklʌb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɪp ˌkləb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Work the pole (idiom from strip club culture)”
- “Make it rain (idiom for throwing money, associated with strip clubs)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CLUB where members STRIP off their formal attire for a more relaxed dress code. (A humorous reversal of the actual meaning.)
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS EXPLOITATION (in critical discourse); ENTERTAINMENT IS A COMMODITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'strip club' most likely be used in a technical, non-judgemental way?