Definition

A woman who is considered to be of low moral character, often associated with being a prostitute or having a bad reputation.

Example

In the story, the quean was often judged harshly by the townspeople for her choices.

Conversation

Did you hear about that party last night?

Yeah, I heard it was wild, with a lot of queans showing up.

Right? I didn't expect such a crowd of young women there.

I know! It seems like everyone was just looking to have fun.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'quean' originates from Old English 'cwene', meaning a woman or a female. It is often used in a derogatory sense to refer to a woman of ill repute or a promiscuous woman.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English word for a woman ('cwene') to remember that 'quean' refers to a woman, often with a negative connotation.

Visually Confused Words