Synonyms

courting

American

[kawr-ting] / ˈkɔr tɪŋ /

noun

the act or process of trying to win the favor or attention of a person or group.

He seems to understand the importance of social issues for youth, judging by his recent courting of young people to bring them into Russian politics.
the act of seeking or cultivating someone’s love or affection; wooing.

Soon after landing the job, he stepped up his courting of the beautiful Dorothy, who was also being pursued by someone else.
(of animals) the act or process of attempting to attract a mate by engaging in certain species-specific behaviors.

The chilly air blowing through the cracks in the wall, and the audible courting of peeper frogs, made it hard to doze off.
the act of behaving in such a manner as to cause or lead to a specified result.

In a particularly nerve-wracking courting of disaster, he climbed the mountain alone in winter using a completely untried route.

adjective

seeking or cultivating the love or affection of another person or of each other.

Covered bridges were known as "kissing bridges," as courting couples were prone to stop and steal a kiss while hidden from view inside.
(of animals) attempting to attract a mate.

Courting petrels make a henlike clucking and thrust their heads back as far as they can.

Other Word Forms

uncourting adjective

Etymology

Origin of courting

First recorded in 1575–85; court ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; court ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

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.

The Southern Africa nation has been courting Gulf states as it seeks to diversify an economy heavily reliant on diamonds, of which it is the world's leading producer by value.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Until his death in 2015, Potter pushed at every boundary he saw, even when it meant courting controversy or costing him friendships and business deals.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

To some that makes courting the old money that much more crucial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Mercedes were openly courting Verstappen last year, before he finally committed to Red Bull again.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

“Why would I lie? I’m not the one hiding the identity of the person courting me.”

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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