solicit

[ suh-lis-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to seek for (something) by entreaty, earnest or respectful request, formal application, etc.:

   He solicited aid from the minister.

2. to entreat or petition (someone or some agency):

   to solicit the committee for funds.

   Synonyms: beg, beseech

3. to seek to influence or incite to action, especially unlawful or wrong action.

   Synonyms: provoke, arouse, excite

4. to offer to have sex with in exchange for money.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a petition or request, as for something desired.
2. to solicit orders or trade, as for a business:

   No soliciting allowed in this building.

3. to offer to have sex with someone in exchange for money.

solicit

/ səˈlɪsɪt /

verb

1. whenintr, foll by for to make a request, application, or entreaty to (a person for business, support, etc)
2. to accost (a person) with an offer of sexual relations in return for money
3. to provoke or incite (a person) to do something wrong or illegal

Derived Forms

• soˌliciˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• pre·so·lic·it verb (used with object)
• re·so·lic·it verb
• su·per·so·lic·it verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicit¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English soliciten, from Middle French solliciter, from Latin sollicitāre “to excite, agitate,” derivative of sollicitus “troubled” ( soll(us) “whole” + -i- -i- + citus, past participle of ciēre “to arouse”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicit¹

C15: from Old French solliciter to disturb, from Latin sollicitāre to harass, from sollicitus agitated, from sollus whole + citus, from ciēre to excite

Example Sentences

The nonprofit Friends of Friendship Park is soliciting ideas for a redesign of the public space along the border and hopes to put together a new vision for the park’s 50th anniversary in August.

From Voice of San Diego

This is a matter for medical experts, and I solicited advice from several.

From Washington Post

Some of the biggest YouTube stars make millions of dollars a year on the platform, but most have endorsement deals and solicit donations directly from fans in addition to taking a cut of ads.

From Washington Post

We’re soliciting nominations for the Impact 20, a new Fortune list that recognizes venture-backed and private equity-backed companies that are doing well by doing good.

From Fortune

In July, for instance, Bitcoin made international headlines when hackers hijacked the Twitter accounts of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and others to solicit crypto donations.

From Fortune

And though Wright kept a low profile for almost a year, he managed to solicit “Jane Doe” on online escort pages.

From The Daily Beast

So yes, attempting to solicit positive stories about the NYPD predictably opened the floodgates for Twitter criticism.

From The Daily Beast

In November 2013, the CFPB began to solicit online feedback on consumer debt collection practices.

From The Daily Beast

Before the [Energy] department could solicit bids, it had to decide what to solicit.

From The Daily Beast

Many leading conservative figures and intellectuals not only solicit this racism; they bond it.

From The Daily Beast

The city was divided into 10 districts, and four appointed to each district to solicit subscriptions.

From Project Gutenberg

If the cake met with the critical approval of Miss Ware she intended to ask her to solicit orders for it.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything and anything he tried, running errands, and even going with the van to solicit material for the following day's meals.

From Project Gutenberg

Finding his mistake, however, he had now come to solicit the Austrian government on my account.

From Project Gutenberg

I need not attempt, like authors of a former age, to solicit a favorable criticism, from the "gentle reader."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ask
• canvass
• drum up
• promote
• require
• seek