The Meaning of Gigolo: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of gigolo? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word gigolo, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word gigolo mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word gigolo is a noun that refers to a younger man who is paid to be a lover for a rich older woman. It can also refer to a kept man for companionship of a male professional dancing partner. 

There are many different words that also mean gigolo in other languages. You may notice that many of these words look and sound similar. These are called cognates, which are usually formed when two words have the same language of origin or root, such as Latin or Greek. This list of translations of gigolo is provided by Word Sense

  •  Portuguese: gigolô‎ (masc.), garoto de programa‎ (masc.)
  •  Russian: жи́голо‎ (masc.), проститу́т‎ (masc.), ха́стлер‎ (masc.) (to other men, also), альфо́нс‎ (masc.) (a lover who lives on woman’s expense)
  •  Japanese: ジゴロ‎ (jigoro), 男娼‎ (だんしょう, danshō)
  •  Mandarin: 面首‎ (miànshǒu), 妓男‎ (jìnán), 男娼‎ (nánchāng)
  •  Czech: gigolo‎ (masc.), prostitut‎ (masc.)
  •  Italian: gigolò‎ (masc.), mantenuto‎ (masc.)
  •  Finnish: rattopoika‎, miesprostituoitu‎, gigolo‎
  •  Persian: ژیگولو‎ (žigolo)
  •  Polish: żigolak‎ (masc.), żigolo‎ (masc.), utrzymanek‎ (masc.)
  •  Romanian: gigolo‎ (masc.)
  •  Swedish: manshora‎ (common), gigolo‎
  •  French: prostitué‎ (masc.)
  •  Spanish: gigoló‎ (masc.), puto‎ (masc.)
  •  Turkish: jigolo‎, tokmakçı‎
  •  Hungarian: selyemfiú‎, gigolo‎, hímringyó‎ (vulgar, derogatory)
  •  German: Gigolo‎ (masc.), Stricher‎ (masc.)
  •  Korean: 남창‎
  •  Bulgarian: жиголо‎ (masc.)
  •  Dutch: manhoer‎, gigolo‎

What is the word origin of the word gigolo?

According to Dictionary, the word gigolo is the masculine derivative of gigolette woman of the streets which is a French word as well as gigole meaning dancing girl. This comes from the verb gigoter, gigue, giguer, gigot, and Germanic origin. This was originally the c14 Middle English giglot. This back formation word was first used in c20 and popular by the 1920s. 

How can the word gigolo be used in a sentence?

There are many ways that the word gigolo can be used in a sentence in the English language. Using new words in a sentence is a great way to incorporate new lingo into your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards and quizzes that test your knowledge of the definitions of different English words. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are several different examples of ways in which the word gigolo can be used in the English language to help get your started with using this word. 

The thin woman hired a gigolo to accompany her through France and across Europe so she would not be alone for a single moment. She was one of many wealthy women in her 30s who wanted a social companion. She had the means of support for this lifestyle, and provided her gigolo with expensive clothing. 

Beck had a number of such relationships with gigolos. In this continuing relationship, he received sexual services in exchange for money. He enjoyed this sexual relationship and consistent escort, and would often transport the gigolos via private automobile for hire.

The gigolette girl used her earnings as an escort woman to enter a competition in public dance halls, which she won by dancing a jig with a fiddle. She had the gifts of a woman who had been dancing for decades.She had no shame in what she did for her earnings.

The gigolo walked the streets looking for sexual attentions. His social skills allowed him to gain residence and financial support from the rich. 

What are synonyms and antonyms of gigolo?

There are many different words and phrases that one can use in place of the term gigolo. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful to know if you want to avoid repeating yourself as well as if you are looking to expand your vocabulary. The below list of synonyms for the word gigolo is provided by Power Thesaurus.

  •  studs
  •  butt-peddler
  •  rake
  •  prostitute
  •  lover
  •  dishonest woman
  •  callboy
  •  debauchee
  •  sugar daddy
  •  philanderer
  •  courtesan
  •  main squeeze
  •  man-whore
  •  sweetheart
  •  male escort
  •  skink
  •  casanova
  •  romeo
  •  old man
  •  saurian
  •  lady of easy virtue
  •  waste mon
  •  hostess
  •  geisha
  •  skirt chaser
  •  whoremaster
  •  fancy man
  •  lady-killer
  •  kasanova
  •  satyr
  •  womanizer
  •  libertine
  •  heartbreaker
  •  womaniser
  •  male dancing partner
  •  coffee scroll
  •  paid escort
  •  escorts
  •  dancing partner
  •  babe magnet
  •  escort
  •  cavaliere servente
  •  man
  •  lover-boy
  •  beau
  •  whoremonger
  •  gigolos
  •  lothario
  •  pimp
  •  admirer
  •  deceiver
  •  lecher
  •  devotee
  •  flashman
  •  love-maker
  •  gallant
  •  chick magnet
  •  paramour
  •  inamorato
  •  flirt
  •  alphons
  •  flame
  •  ponce
  •  ladies’ man
  •  dissolute person
  •  sporting lady
  •  amoroso
  •  male prostitute
  •  playboy
  •  hooker
  •  seducer
  •  boyfriend
  •  male companion
  •  stud
  •  alphonse
  •  cavalier
  •  paid companion
  •  hunk
  •  don juan

There are also many different words and phrases that a person can use that are the opposite of the word gigolo, which are called antonyms. Opposite words are also very useful to know if you are looking to expand your English language and grammar knowledge, or if you are looking to grow your vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word gigolo is also provided by Power Thesaurus.

  •  religionist
  •  priggish person
  •  monk
  •  prudish
  •  excessively modest person
  •  goody-goody
  •  nice nelly
  •  maid
  •  monogamy
  •  moral zealot
  •  holy joe
  •  miss prim
  •  formalist
  •  dogmatist
  •  puritanical
  •  grundy
  •  prude
  •  prig
  •  killjoy
  •  purist
  •  wowser
  •  stuffed shirt
  •  bluenose
  •  fanatic
  •  saint
  •  goody two-shoes
  •  schoolmarm
  •  mannerist
  •  monogamous female
  •  moralist
  •  faithful female
  •  blue stocking
  •  puritans
  •  holy willie
  •  coquette
  •  religious female
  •  upright person
  •  zealot
  •  asexual female
  •  tomboy
  •  spinster
  •  puritan
  •  honourable woman
  •  pedant
  •  victorian
  •  pietist
  •  maiden
  •  moral fanatic
  •  virgin wife
  •  virtuous person
  •  old maid

Overall, the word gigolo means a male prostitute or escort. This word is French in origin. 

Sources:

  1. Gigolo synonyms – 79 Words and Phrases for Gigolo | Power Thesaurus 
  2. Prude antonyms – 244 Opposites of Prude | Power Thesaurus 
  3. gigolo: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  4. Gigolo Definition & Meaning | Dictionary 
  5. Gigolo definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary