woo

American  

[woo] / wu /

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 British  

/ 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)

---

woo Idioms  

1. see pitch woo.

---

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of woo

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

Explanation

When you woo someone, you are being charming because you think that it will make them love you more. You want to win their heart, so you woo them, you flirty dog you. Poetry is a great way to woo someone, because who could resist such beautiful words? Wooing requires a romantic heart and a lot of focused attention on the person you desire. But wooing isn’t always just done for love, and you can woo someone because you want their support, like when a rock band woos a record label to release their album, or wooing your grandmother because you need to borrow some money.

Example Sentences

It boils down to a single, loaded question: Is BTS straying too far from K-pop in trying to woo the world?

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“We did everything right,” said St. Clair Mayor Bill Cedar, who was part of an effort to woo Magna with tax breaks and the construction of a new water tower to supply the facility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

It was a trade show for consultants and vendors, many of whom viewed it as a prime place to woo potential clients or show off clients to potential donors.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Japan will also be seeking to woo Trump on trade.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Although the baker’s son tried to woo her, she was no longer interested.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo

Related Words

• cultivate
• pursue
• solicit