solicit
- 01 C1 Advanced
to ask someone for money, help, or their opinion in a formal way.
to request or entreat someone for something, such as financial support, information, or feedback. Often used in professional or charitable contexts.
Simple“The charity is going door-to-door to solicit donations for the new hospital.”
In context“The committee decided to solicit feedback from all staff members before finalizing the new remote-work policy.”
UsageOften takes a direct object (the thing being sought) or follows the pattern 'solicit something from someone'.
Teacher's tipIn many public places in the US, you might see 'No Soliciting' signs, which mean salespeople are not allowed to knock on doors or approach people.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
to offer to have sex with someone, usually for money.
to approach someone with an offer of sexual services, typically in exchange for payment. This sense carries specific legal weight in criminal law.
Simple“He was arrested for trying to solicit a police officer who was working undercover.”
In context“The city council implemented stricter patrols in the district to discourage individuals from soliciting in residential areas.”
UsageIn a legal context, this can be used both for the person offering the service and the person trying to buy it.
Teacher's tipThis is a sensitive and technical sense. Students should be aware of it to avoid using the word 'solicit' in contexts where it might be misunderstood as a sexual proposition.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
to bother or worry someone.
to disturb, disquiet, or cause anxiety. This usage is no longer found in modern speech or standard writing.
Simple“The dark thoughts began to solicit his mind during the long night.”
In context“No worldly cares were permitted to solicit her peace of mind while she remained within the walls of the silent retreat.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is found in older literature (17th-19th century). Modern learners should recognize it but not use it in their own writing.
“He has never solicited clients for any betting company or casino.”
“Wahab released her own video, emphasising that she had made it “illegal and a felony to traffic or solicit minors, across the board”.”
From Middle English soliciten, solliciten, from Old French soliciter, solliciter, borrowed from Latin sollicitō (“stir, disturb; look after”), from sollicitus (“agitated, anxious, punctilious”, literally “thoroughly moved”), from sollus (“whole, entire”) + perfect passive participle of cieō (“shake, excite, cite, to put in motion”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.