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Synonyms

courtship

American  
[kawrt-ship, kohrt-] / ˈkɔrt ʃɪp, ˈkoʊrt- /

noun

  1. the wooing of one person by another.

  2. the period during which such wooing takes place.

  3. solicitation of favors, applause, etc.

  4. Ethology. behavior in animals that occurs before and during mating, often including elaborate displays.

  5. Obsolete. courtly behavior; courtesy; gallantry.

courtship British  
/ ˈkɔːtʃɪp /

noun

  1. the act, period, or art of seeking the love of someone with intent to marry

  2. the seeking or soliciting of favours

  3. obsolete courtly behaviour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of courtship

First recorded in 1580–90; court + -ship

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He remembered meeting her in late summer, in a whirlwind courtship that he described as a Hallmark movie.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

A few weeks ago it looked like Paramount Skydance boss David Ellison was headed for a Hollywood ending with his courtship of Warner Bros.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

And that courtship is likely to start again this season.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

US President Donald Trump stepped up his courtship of Kim during a tour of Asia last year, saying he was "100 percent" open to a meeting.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

It’s acting-out courtship and everybody is in the play.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.