to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against.
to sue someone for damages.
to woo or court.
Obsolete. to make petition or appeal to.
to institute legal proceedings (against)
to make suppliant requests of (someone for something)
archaic to pay court (to)
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English suen, siwen, from Old French sivre, from unattested Vulgar Latin sequere “to follow,” for Latin sequī
If you sue someone, you're accusing them (in court) of doing something wrong or illegal and demanding that they pay for it. Almost every time someone sues, they're looking for money. One of the last things you want to hear is "I'll sue you!" People sue for a lot of reasons. If you slipped on the ice, you could sue the sidewalk owner for not putting salt down. If you were in a car accident, you could sue the other driver. Years ago, someone sued McDonald's for scalding themselves on a cup of coffee they said was too hot. Sometimes it seems like people will find any reason to sue.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One time, when my Aunt Sue came to visit from Baltimore, she made hers with a jar of mushroom-flavored Prego, and I thought that upgrade was as divine as Bette Midler.
From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026
In 2018, Sue Brydon, a senior midwife at the Queen's Medical Centre sent a letter to the director of midwifery and the trust's then chairman, signed by more than 50 midwifery staff.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
Sue Kohl, a longtime Palisades resident whose kids grew up with Pratt, said the teenage years should be viewed with some perspective.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
“It was an escape,” said Sue Cremin, the film’s producer and Simonson’s wife.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
Akira’s dad hustled her into the back seat of the car next to Sue, then ran to the passenger side and hopped in next to Daniel.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
