courting

[ kawr-ting ]

noun

1. the act or process of trying to win the favor or attention of a person or group:

   He seems to understand the importance of social issues for youth, judging by his recent courting of young people to bring them into Russian politics.

2. the act of seeking or cultivating someone’s love or affection; wooing:

   Soon after landing the job, he stepped up his courting of the beautiful Dorothy, who was also being pursued by someone else.

3. (of animals) the act or process of attempting to attract a mate by engaging in certain species-specific behaviors:

   The chilly air blowing through the cracks in the wall, and the audible courting of peeper frogs, made it hard to doze off.

4. the act of behaving in such a manner as to cause or lead to a specified result:

   In a particularly nerve-wracking courting of disaster, he climbed the mountain alone in winter using a completely untried route.

adjective

1. seeking or cultivating the love or affection of another person or of each other:

   Covered bridges were known as "kissing bridges," as courting couples were prone to stop and steal a kiss while hidden from view inside.

2. (of animals) attempting to attract a mate:

   Courting petrels make a henlike clucking and thrust their heads back as far as they can.

Other Words From

• un·court·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of courting¹

First recorded in 1575–85; court ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; court ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Swedish streaming audio giant Spotify is courting more video creators, podcasters and influencers in an effort to step up its competition with popular digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

From Los Angeles Times

Donald Trump’s strategy of courting disaffected men was a risky one: After all, men are less likely to vote than women, and the disaffected don’t tend to be the most civically engaged citizens.

From Slate

Progressive Brown spent the end of his campaign courting Black voters in Columbus and visiting a union hall in Akron, amid other events throughout the state.

From Salon

While Trump later claimed not to know Hinchcliffe, aides told Alberta that the former president had spent months courting him.

From Salon

They are courting each and every vote - with so-called "persuadable" Americans a particular prize.

From BBC

Related Words

• allure
• appeal
• attractiveness
• interest