demimonde
Americannoun
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(especially during the last half of the 19th century) a class of women who have lost their standing in respectable society because of indiscreet behavior or sexual promiscuity.
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a demimondaine.
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prostitutes or courtesans in general.
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a group whose activities are ethically or legally questionable.
a demimonde of investigative journalists writing for the sensationalist tabloids.
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a group characterized by lack of success or status.
the literary demimonde.
noun
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(esp in the 19th century) those women considered to be outside respectable society, esp on account of sexual promiscuity
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any social group considered to be not wholly respectable
Etymology
Origin of demimonde
1850–55; < French, equivalent to demi- demi- + monde world (< Latin mundus )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Frankel is most convincing when he avoids bold statements, however, and instead immerses himself in the skulduggery of Kansas City politics or the treacherous demimonde of Hollywood.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
French bulldogs have a colorful, centuries-long history involving English lacemakers, the Parisian demimonde and Gilded Age American tourists who brought the dogs home.
From Seattle Times • May 7, 2023
In the first act, Alfredo warns Violetta, “The way you’re living will kill you,” which makes no sense if, as here, the opening scene has all the demimonde danger of a Hamptons garden party.
From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2023
I call this demimonde of deceit and self-deceit "Concussion Inc."
From Salon • Jan. 14, 2023
Such a trick in China could but originate with the demimonde, yet it is taken up by certain of the Americans who are constantly seeking for variety.
From As A Chinaman Saw Us Passages from his Letters to a Friend at Home by Gratton, Henry Pearson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
