courtship
Americannoun
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the wooing of one person by another.
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the period during which such wooing takes place.
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solicitation of favors, applause, etc.
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Ethology. behavior in animals that occurs before and during mating, often including elaborate displays.
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Obsolete. courtly behavior; courtesy; gallantry.
noun
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the act, period, or art of seeking the love of someone with intent to marry
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the seeking or soliciting of favours
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obsolete courtly behaviour
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of courtship
Explanation
A courtship is a period in a romantic couple's relationship when they are dating. Most partners go through a courtship before deciding to get married. Courtship is an old-fashioned word, assuming that two people who love each other will eventually get married. If your uncle and aunt only met a few weeks before their wedding, you can say they had a brief courtship — and if you have friends who aren't married but have been together for years, you could describe their decades-long courtship. The word is indeed old-fashioned, from the 16th century when it meant "paying court to a woman with intention of marriage."
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.
So far, insiders say his promised “regime change” has been kinder and gentler than feared—more courtship than chain saw.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
Researchers believe the hump may have played a role in courtship displays.
From Science Daily • Jun. 13, 2026
Email records show Flock’s courtship of the bureau dates at least to spring 2024, when the company agreed to donate two of its plate readers to help combat copper thefts.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
He remembered meeting her in late summer, in a whirlwind courtship that he described as a Hallmark movie.
From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026
Their working relationship evolved quickly into courtship, then love.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
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.
