
Strippers perform striptease for a number of reasons, predominantly to make money. The term "male stripper" has gone down in use in books in the 21st century. Performances are usually fully choreographed, involve dance routines and a costume of some sort. Before the 1970s, dancers of all genders appeared largely in underground clubs or as part of a theatre experience, but the practice eventually became common enough on its own.

Certain male and female strippers also perform for LGBT audiences as well as for all genders in bisexual contexts. Since then, male strippers have become more common. Until the 1970s, strippers in Western cultures were almost invariably female, performing to male audiences. Entertainers (dancers) are often not actual employees of the club itself but perform as independent contractors. A house dancer works for a particular club or franchise, while a feature dancer tends to have her own celebrity, touring a club circuit making appearances. The integration of the burlesque pole as a nearly ubiquitous prop has shifted the emphasis in the performance toward a more acrobatic, explicit expression compared to the slow-developing burlesque style. Not all strippers are comfortable dancing topless or fully nude, but in general, full nudity is common where not prohibited by law. Modern Americanized forms of stripping minimize interaction by strippers with customers, reducing the importance of tease in the performance in favor of speed to undress ( strip). At times, a stripper may be hired to perform at a bachelor party or other private event.

A stripper or exotic dancer is a person whose occupation involves performing striptease in a public adult entertainment venue such as a strip club.
