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 might recall the various attempts of rights holders to sue people — including grandparents and children — for downloading songs 20 or so years ago," he said.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
In both cases, shareholders had other ways to take action: they could sue in state court in Delaware, where the companies were incorporated, or sell their shares.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
The fines were levied under a 1996 law, the Helms-Burton Act, which allowed any American whose assets had been expropriated by the Castro government to sue those who profited from their use.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Because of this, Congress allows for private individuals to sue to enforce the rights protected by the ADA.
From Slate • May 19, 2026
Finally, at the bus station, Santiago says, “What they did to you was illegal, Virginia. A crime. Even though you signed that paper, you might be able to press charges and sue them.”
From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau
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.
