# courtship

/ˈkɔɹˌtʃɪp/ (US) · /kˈɔːtʃɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/courtship
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. romantic dating period

noun · CEFR B2

the time when two people have a romantic relationship with the intention of getting married.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. animal mating behaviour

noun · CEFR B2

the special way animals or birds behave to attract a mate.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. seeking favour or business

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of trying to persuade someone to support you or do business with you.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. courtly manners

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

polite and elegant behaviour that was common in royal courts in the past.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Their brief courtship led to a very happy marriage.
- After a year of formal courtship, the couple announced their engagement to their families during the holiday dinner.
- The novel explores the rigid social rules of nineteenth-century courtship, where every conversation and gesture was scrutinized by the community for signs of serious intent.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.