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

My first love went to art school, and early in our courtship he invited me to a student show of his photography.

From Vox

In this recording, a male superb lyrebird ends its complicated courtship song and dance with an uncanny imitation of a raucous mobbing flock.

From Science News

I can still enjoy the romance, root for the protagonists, celebrate the courtships.

From Washington Post

They would mount others and display courtship behaviors exactly like a male would.

From Quanta Magazine

As we read these letters, which cover the couple’s early courtship, from 1941 to 1945, we can look for clues as to what went wrong — though the details are notably one-sided.

From Washington Post

Everyone showed lots of skin and courtship perfumed the air.

From The Daily Beast

They married on December 19, 2013 after a romantic “Walt Disney” kind of courtship, they both said.

From The Daily Beast

However, the Republican base will be far less forgiving of Paul for his criticism of police policy and his courtship of Sharpton.

From The Daily Beast

One of the lefties she met was a sociology instructor named Philip Rieff, whom she married after a 10-day courtship.

From The Daily Beast

What made for an intoxicating courtship, however, resulted in a troubled marriage.

From The Daily Beast

There is no dramme of manhood to suspect,On such thin ayrie circumstance as thisMeere complement and courtship.

From Project Gutenberg

I was riding by the ranch of Mr. Blank, who had wooed and won our cook after a courtship that was as brief as it was fervid.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, being safe again, he was a devoted lover again, and he must get on with his courtship.

From Project Gutenberg

There was nothing romantic in the courtship, but at the same time it was far from commonplace.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl "falls in love" with some one, and the courtship begins.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• courting
• engagement
• pursuit