woo

[woo]

verb (used with object)

1. to seek the favor, affection, or love of, especially with a view to marriage.

   Synonyms: chase, pursue, court

2. to seek to win.

   to woo fame.

   Synonyms: cultivate

3. to invite (consequences, whether good or bad) by one's own action; court.

   to woo one's own destruction.

4. to seek to persuade (a person, group, etc.), as to do something; solicit; importune.

   Synonyms: entreat, address, sue, petition

verb (used without object)

1. to seek the affection or love of someone, usually a woman; court.

   He was reminded of his youth when he went wooing.

2. to solicit favor or approval; entreat.

   Further attempts to woo proved useless.

woo

/ wuː /

verb

1. to seek the affection, favour, or love of (a woman) with a view to marriage

2. (tr) to seek after zealously or hopefully

   to woo fame

3. (tr) to bring upon oneself (good or evil results) by one's own action

4. (tr) to beg or importune (someone)

Other Word Forms

• wooer noun
• wooingly adverb
• unwooed adjective
• wooing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of woo¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English wowe, Old English wōgian; ultimate origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of woo¹

Old English wōgian, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

see pitch woo.

Example Sentences

Within the country, the party has been remaking the image of what was once seen as a troubled province to woo more domestic tourists.

Read more on BBC

Nvidia’s first big AI conference in Washington reflects how Huang has been spending more time wooing administration officials after having a relatively small presence in Washington for decades.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, who was heavily involved in wooing Sheridan to Universal over the past two months, made a pilgrimage to his ranch to help seal the deal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The move is a blow to Paramount, which has focused on wooing high-profile talent to the studio since its takeover by tech scion David Ellison and his Skydance Media.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Altman’s wooing of Son succeeded in kicking off an investment mania.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cultivate 
• pursue 
• solicit