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View synonyms for woo

woo

[ woo ]

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

/ 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)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈwooer, noun
  • ˈwooing, noun
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Other Words From

  • wooer noun
  • wooing·ly adverb
  • un·wooed adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of woo1

First recorded before 1050; Middle English wowe, Old English wōgian; ultimate origin uncertain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of woo1

Old English wōgian, of obscure origin
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Idioms and Phrases

see pitch woo .
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Example Sentences

One Spinal Solutions sales representative said he suspected Williams was using perks to woo surgeons.

Democrats set out to woo a national network of extremely wealthy donors who could support the new breakneck fundraising pace.

At one point, John Woo was circling to direct it, but then the big divorce happened with Miramax and Disney, and it went away.

Been dying to see that powerful sexual masochist woo and whip that mousy college student?

David, the consummate suitor, naturally pulled out all the stops to woo his lady love.

Who wants to peruse fictitious adventures, when railroads and steamboats woo him to adventures of his own?

She was quite wickedly indifferent to consequences, and was inspired to woo the fickle goddess of popularity.

It was in contrast to these officials that he painted the ideal times of Kings Wan and Woo.

Many suitors came from far to woo her, and brought presents innumerable of corn, skins, and cattle to lay at her feet.

My long lithe lily, my languid lily, My lank limp lily-love, how shall I win— Woo thee to wink at me?

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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.

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