whorehouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal/Vulgar
Quick answer
What does “whorehouse” mean?
a building where prostitutes work, typically managed by someone who profits from their earnings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a building where prostitutes work, typically managed by someone who profits from their earnings
sometimes used metaphorically to describe a place or situation perceived as morally corrupt, exploitative, or where principles are traded for money
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used in both varieties but is strongly avoided in standard discourse. 'Brothel' is the common neutral/formal term. Some historical or regional slang exists (e.g., 'knocking shop' in UK informal contexts).
Connotations
Carries identical strong connotations of moral condemnation, exploitation, and sordidness in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in corpora of general English due to its offensive nature. Its use is largely restricted to historical texts, certain genres of fiction, direct quotations, or deliberately provocative speech.
Grammar
How to Use “whorehouse” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [Det] + whorehouse (e.g., They raided the whorehouse.)[Prep] + [Det] + whorehouse (e.g., He lived above a whorehouse.)[Adj] + whorehouse (e.g., a dilapidated whorehouse)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whorehouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form in use; 'to whore' is a different, related verb.)
American English
- (No standard verb form in use.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'whorehouse'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'whorehouse'.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival form derived directly from 'whorehouse'.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival form derived directly from 'whorehouse'.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used; 'sex industry establishment' or similar legal/business terms are used.
Academic
Rare, only in historical, sociological, or gender studies with quotations or specific critical discourse; 'brothel' is standard.
Everyday
Highly offensive and avoided in polite conversation.
Technical
Not used in legal or medical terminology; 'brothel' is the standard term in law enforcement and public health contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whorehouse”
- Using it in a formal or neutral context. Learners should default to 'brothel' if the concept must be named.
- Spelling error: confusing 'whore' with 'hour' or 'hoar'.
- Pronouncing 'whore' with a /w/ sound; the /h/ is silent: /ˈhɔːr.haʊs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they refer to the same establishment. However, 'brothel' is the standard, formal, and neutral term, while 'whorehouse' is considered vulgar, offensive, and derogatory.
No. You should never use 'whorehouse' in formal writing. Always use 'brothel' or a more academic phrase like 'a house of prostitution' if the topic requires it.
The offensiveness comes from the word 'whore', which is a deeply derogatory and stigmatizing term for a sex worker. Using it compounds the insult by defining the person's workplace through this slur.
Its use is highly restricted. It might appear in direct quotations, within certain genres of historical fiction or gritty realism to add authenticity to dialogue, or in sociolinguistic analysis discussing the word itself. In everyday conversation, it is almost always inappropriate.
a building where prostitutes work, typically managed by someone who profits from their earnings.
Whorehouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɔː.haʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːr.haʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) busy as a whorehouse on payday (US, vulgar simile)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Whore' + 'house' is a very literal compound: a house where whores (a derogatory term for sex workers) are located.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORRUPTION/EXPLOITATION IS A PHYSICAL SPACE (e.g., 'This town is a whorehouse of greed.')
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the word 'whorehouse' be LEAST appropriate?