The courtesans of East Asia, particularly those of the Japanese empire, held a different social role than that of their European counterparts. Examples of Japanese courtesans included the oiran class, who …

The meaning of COURTESAN is a female sex worker with a courtly, wealthy, or upper-class clientele.

COURTESAN definition: (especially in historical use) a mistress, paramour, or prostitute, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth. See examples of courtesan used in a sentence.

Courtesans have long been a staple of South Asian myth, literature, drama, and ritual life. Plays featuring courtesans were frequently performed during spring fertility festivals to help promote the …

COURTESAN definition: 1. a woman, usually with a high social position, who in the past had sexual relationships with rich…. Learn more.

(esp formerly) a prostitute, or the mistress of a man of rank.... Click for English pronunciations, examples sentences, video.

Nov 30, 2025 · courtesan (plural courtesans) A female prostitute, especially one with high-status or wealthy clients. synonym quotations Synonyms: see Thesaurus: prostitute

Definition of courtesan noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

In fact, the term to court, as in to woo someone romantically, comes from the origin. A similar term is concubine, though it has a slightly different meaning.

(esp. formerly) a woman who is looked after by noblemen or men of wealth and kept for a sexual relationship. cour•te•san (kôr′ tə zən, kōr′ -, kûr′ -), n. a prostitute or paramour, esp. one associating …