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)

Derived Forms

• ˈwooer, noun
• ˈwooing, noun

Other Words From

• wooer noun
• wooing·ly adverb
• un·wooed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of woo¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of woo¹

Old English wōgian, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

see pitch woo .

Example Sentences

The grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman and owner of a prestigious talent agency, he is seen as critical to wooing benefactors and corporate sponsors.

From Los Angeles Times

There will be a long line of teams trying to woo Sasaki.

From Los Angeles Times

In the comics, the whole ordeal with the Infinity Stones was Thanos’ attempt to woo her.

From Los Angeles Times

It wooed Lebanon’s long-disenfranchised Shiites — who make up roughly 32% of the population, according to research groups — with micro-lending programs and medical and social services often superior to those provided by the government.

From Los Angeles Times

A Democratic activist, Ms Paul has been knocking on hundreds of strangers’ doors, making phone calls and sending out flyers, all in an effort to woo people here to vote for Kamala Harris.

From BBC

Related Words

• cultivate
• pursue
• solicit