# Are there antonyms for mistress and disappointment?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-antonyms-for-mistress-and-disappointment/327725
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 24, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-antonyms-for-mistress-and-disappointment/327725 "2005-10-24T20:45:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 2

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### Author: ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-antonyms-for-mistress-and-disappointment/327725/21 "2005-10-26T18:05:38Z")

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> [@CynicalGabe](#):
>
> The actual equivalent of mistress is giggolo.

Not exactly. “Gigolo” implies that the man is supported by the woman, or is in it strictly for economic reasons; and the woman who supports him does not necessarly have to be married. Therefore the relationship is not necessarly “illicit.”

While “mistress” does to some extent suggest that the woman is supported by her lover, this is not necessarily true. However, the word does imply that the man be married.

From Merriam-Webster

> [@](#):
>
> Main Entry: gig·o·lo  
> 1 : a man supported by a woman usually in return for his attentions
> 
> Main Entry: mis·tress  
> 4 a : a woman other than his wife with whom a married man has a continuing sexual relationship b archaic : SWEETHEART

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