noun
ponce
PAHNS/pɑːns/
A man who lives off a sex worker's earnings.
The ponce lives on the money his girlfriend earns from sex work.
Etymology
The word first denoted a pimp or a man supported by women. Its origin is unknown, and the connection to the sense of an affected or pretentious man is not established.
More examples
- She refuses to give the ponce any more of her earnings.
- The report describes ponces who rely entirely on sex workers for income.
- He denies being a ponce and says he supports himself.
Forms
ponce · ponces
Similar words
- pimp
- Usually also arranges clients, rather than merely taking earnings.