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)

Other Word Forms

• wooer noun
• wooing noun
• wooingly adverb
• unwooed 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 Chancellor has worked hard since Labour won power to woo the City.

From BBC

Still, despite the hasty ending, this splashy comedy deserves to woo grown-ups back to the multiplex.

From Los Angeles Times

Both Qualley and Plaza are totally game, and they both give and take in equal measure, basking in their characters’ pleasure rather than trying to woo the audience.

From Salon

Because many times producers will woo you, and then they get involved with the cast and they get involved in the larger aspects of production, and you don’t have that collaboration.

From Los Angeles Times

To address this, the UAE is wooing overseas companies and researchers with low taxes, long-term "golden visas", and lighter regulation.

From BBC

Related Words

• cultivate 
• pursue 
• solicit