A gigolo is a male escort or social companion who is supported by a person in a continuing relationship, often living in their residence or being present at their beck and call. The term usually implies a man who adopts a lifestyle consisting of a number of such relationships serially rather than having other means of support. A gigolo is expected to provide companionship, serve as a consistent escort with good manners and social skills, and often serve as a dancing partner as required by the woman in exchange for support. The relationship may include sexual services as well, and the gigolo may receive gifts such as expensive clothing and an automobile to drive. The term "gigolo" may be traced to a first usage in English as a neologism during the 1920s as a back-formation from "gigolette," a French word for a woman hired as a dancing partner.
The term "gigolo" is also used to refer to a man living off the earnings or gifts of a woman, especially a younger man supported by an older woman in return for his sexual attentions.
In recent years, there has been an increased willingness among some women to pay for the services of gigolos, as depicted in the reality TV series "Gigolos," which chronicles the lives of male escorts catering exclusively to women.
