sue

¹ American  

[soo] / su /

verb (used with object)

sued, suing

1. to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against.

   to sue someone for damages.

2. to woo or court.

3. Obsolete. to make petition or appeal to.

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verb (used without object)

sued, suing

1. to institute legal proceedings, or bring suit.

   She threatened to sue.

2. to make petition or appeal.

   to sue for peace.

   Synonyms:

   pray, plead, petition, beg

3. to court a woman.

verb phrase

1. sue out to make application for or apply for and obtain (a writ or the like) from a court of law.

Sue ² American  

[soo, sy] / su, sü /

noun

1. Eugène Marie Joseph Sue, 1804–57, French novelist.

2. a female given name, form of Susan, Susanna, Susannah.

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sue ¹ British  

/ suː, sjuː /

verb

1. to institute legal proceedings (against)

2. to make suppliant requests of (someone for something)

3. archaic to pay court (to)

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Sue ² British  

/ sy /

noun

1. Eugène (øʒɛn). original name Marie-Joseph Sue. 1804–57, French novelist, whose works, notably Les mystères de Paris (1842–43) and Le juif errant (1844–45), were among the first to reflect the impact of the industrial revolution on France

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Other Word Forms

• suer noun
• unsued adjective

Etymology

Origin of sue

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English suen, siwen, from Old French sivre, from unattested Vulgar Latin sequere “to follow,” for Latin sequī

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

North Carolina, where the Ammels lived, is one of just a handful of states with a “homewrecker law” that allows a jilted spouse to sue a third party for damages for a marital breakup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

He could sue if she was stolen or enticed away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Arizona officials have warned if the amount of water flowing into Lake Mead falls below a legal trigger point, that would allow the state to sue for a violation of the compact.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

As a result, it is nearly impossible for individuals to sue federal officers, including immigration agents, who run afoul of the Constitution.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

“Yeah. Felt like bricks. What’re you going to do, sue her?”

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• accuse
• appeal
• charge
• claim
• file
• indict
• petition
• plead
• prosecute