cathouse
word
Definition
A 'cathouse' is a slang and old-fashioned term for a brothel, which is a place where people pay for sexual services. Rarely, it can literally mean a house with many cats, but this is much less common.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and dated; can sound humorous or offensive. Most often used in old movies, fiction, or historical conversation. Not to be confused with 'cathouse' as a literal home for cats, which is rare. Modern English usually uses 'brothel'. Do not use in formal contexts.
Example Sentences
The old movie showed a cathouse on the edge of town.
basic
A cathouse is another word for brothel.
basic
People sometimes use cathouse in old stories.
basic
He joked about opening a cathouse, but everyone knew he was just kidding.
natural
The story takes place in a dusty Western town with a famous cathouse.
natural
Despite the rumors, the old house wasn’t a cathouse—it just had lots of stray cats!
natural