sue

¹

[ soo ]

verb (used with object)

, sued, su·ing.

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, su·ing.

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. to make application for or apply for and obtain (a writ or the like) from a court of law.

Sue

²

[ soo; French sy ]

noun

1. Eu·gène [œ, -, zhen], 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. SueEugène18041857MFrenchWRITING: novelist 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

Derived Forms

• ˈsuer, noun

Other Words From

• su·er noun
• un·sued 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

Many documents were hidden from public view until Americans with cancer began suing the firm.

From BBC

He promised to refund people who had bought the NFT eggs, but only if they agreed not sue him for anything relating to CryptoZoo.

From BBC

They were too afraid and intimidated, or they thought they wouldn’t be believed, or they thought Trump would sue them for defamation if they told anyone.

From Salon

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the federal government on Monday, demanding information on how expedited deportations would take place.

From New York Times

If they sue, the case could take years that the men do not have.

From BBC

Related Words

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