Word
courtship
US/ˈkɔɹˌtʃɪp/
UK/kˈɔːtʃɪp/
Definitions
01romantic dating period
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the time when two people have a romantic relationship with the intention of getting married.
n. the period during which a couple develops a romantic relationship, traditionally with the aim of marriage.
“After a brief courtship of only three months, they decided to get married.”
“Their traditional courtship was conducted under the watchful eyes of their families, following the social customs of the era.”
Usage
Often used to describe historical or formal romantic periods.
Synonyms
02animal mating behaviour
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science
n. the special way animals or birds behave to attract a mate.
n. the ritualised behaviour patterns displayed by animals to attract a mate and initiate breeding.
“The male peacock uses its colourful feathers as part of a courtship display.”
“Biologists observed the complex courtship rituals of the birds, noting how the males competed for the attention of a single female.”
Synonyms
03seeking favour or business
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of trying to persuade someone to support you or do business with you.
n. the process of seeking to win the favour, support, or business of another party through persistent attention.
“The city began a long courtship of the tech company to convince them to move there.”
“The merger was the result of a year-long courtship between the two rival firms, involving numerous private negotiations.”
Synonyms
04courtly manners
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic · Literary
n. polite and elegant behaviour that was common in royal courts in the past.
n. the practice of courtly manners or the display of elegance and etiquette suitable for a royal court.
“The knight was famous for his courtship and his bravery in battle.”
“The ambassador was praised for his impeccable courtship, navigating the complex social hierarchies of the palace with ease.”
Teaching tip
This sense is archaic; modern speakers use 'courtesy' or 'etiquette' for general politeness.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Mild-mannered outside of breeding season, they star in a spectacular springtime courtship display in the wetlands of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.” “The male gharials also let out pops when faced with a potential challenger male, or as a courtship call.” “The world of courtship and dinner parties feels confining.” Etymology
From court (“demonstration of such respect as is traditionally given at court; attention directed to a person in power; behaviour designed to gain favour; politeness of manner; civility towards someone”) + -ship (suffix forming nouns indicating a property or state of being).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/courtship