courtship

[ kawrt-ship, kohrt- ]

noun

1. the wooing of one person by another.
2. the period during which such wooing takes place.
3. solicitation of favors, applause, etc.
4. Ethology. behavior in animals that occurs before and during mating, often including elaborate displays.
5. Obsolete. courtly behavior; courtesy; gallantry.

courtship

/ ˈkɔːtʃɪp /

noun

1. the act, period, or art of seeking the love of someone with intent to marry
2. the seeking or soliciting of favours
3. obsolete.
   courtly behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtship¹

First recorded in 1580–90; court + -ship

Example Sentences

Phyllis met Ron on Torquay seafront at the brink of war in the summer of 1939 - but her mother forbade their courtship from the beginning.

From BBC

“When it comes to disclosing their affiliation with Trump, no ground is more fraught than courtship,” Politico observed back in 2018.

From Salon

But the well-heeled Saklatvala was drawn towards Marsh and during their courtship, he was exposed to the hardships of Britain's working class through her life.

From BBC

Dance sequences were created to illustrate scenes in the girls’ lives including Amy and Laurie’s courtship in Paris, Beth’s final days with Jo and Jo’s romance with professor Fredrick Bhaer.

From Los Angeles Times

Gallagher plays a widower who strikes up an unexpected courtship with Julianna Margulies in the midst of mutual grief and illness.

From Salon

Related Words

• courting
• engagement
• pursuit