Word
courting
Phoneticscourt·ing
US/ˈkɔɹtɪŋ/
UK/kˈɔːtɪŋ/
Definition
v. to try to get something you want, like success or attention. It can also mean to date someone with the hope of marrying them.
v. to seek to attract or win over; to behave in a way that invites a particular response or outcome. Often describes the actions of a person or organization trying to gain favor, support, or a romantic partner.
Examples
“The company is courting new investors for the project.”
“The politician spent the entire weekend courting voters in the rural districts to secure their support before the election.”
“By ignoring the safety warnings from his advisors, the CEO was courting disaster for the firm's reputation and financial stability.”
Examples
simple
“The company is courting new investors for the project.”
contextual
“The politician spent the entire weekend courting voters in the rural districts to secure their support before the election.”
complex
“By ignoring the safety warnings from his advisors, the CEO was courting disaster for the firm's reputation and financial stability.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. When used in a romantic context, it is often considered old-fashioned or formal.
Real-World Examples
“Infantino spent much of the weekend courting support from Concacaf members at a meeting in the Dominican Republic, infuriating many of those present.” “Birdsong—the courting and territorial vocalization of songbirds—has been studied for decades, but less is understood about bird chatter, or the other chirps made by all flock members throughout the day.” Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/courting