sue

¹

[soo]

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.

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

[soo, sy]

noun

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

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

sue

¹

/ suː, sjuː /

verb

1. to institute legal proceedings (against)

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

3. archaic,  to pay court (to)

Sue

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• suer noun
• unsued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sue¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sue¹

C13: via Anglo-Norman from Old French sivre, from Latin sequī to follow

Example Sentences

Now, she is suing the venue for the injuries she suffered at the Aug. 16 show, which she alleges were enabled by inadequate security.

From Los Angeles Times

The Department of Health and Social Care sued PPE Medpro over claims the medical gowns it supplied did not comply with relevant healthcare standards.

From BBC

Last July, after McOsker’s motion requiring the environmental review passed, Silver sued the city.

From Los Angeles Times

In June, Disney and Comcast’s Universal Pictures sued AI company Midjourney, alleging that its image generator infringed on its copyrighted characters from franchises such as “Star Wars” and “Despicable Me.”

From Los Angeles Times

In December 2023, the California Rifle and Pistol Assn. sued the Sheriff’s Department over what it alleged were improper delays and rejections of applications for concealed carry licenses.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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