Word
solicit
Phoneticsso·lic·it, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈɫɪsɪt/
UK/səlˈɪsɪt/
Definitions
01to ask for something
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to ask someone for money, help, or their opinion in a formal way.
v. to request or entreat someone for something, such as financial support, information, or feedback. Often used in professional or charitable contexts.
Español:solicitar
“The charity is going door-to-door to solicit donations for the new hospital.”
“The committee decided to solicit feedback from all staff members before finalizing the new remote-work policy.”
Usage
Often takes a direct object (the thing being sought) or follows the pattern 'solicit something from someone'.
Teaching tip
In 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.
02to offer sexual services
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Technical
v. to offer to have sex with someone, usually for money.
v. to approach someone with an offer of sexual services, typically in exchange for payment. This sense carries specific legal weight in criminal law.
“He was arrested for trying to solicit a police officer who was working undercover.”
“The city council implemented stricter patrols in the district to discourage individuals from soliciting in residential areas.”
Usage
In a legal context, this can be used both for the person offering the service and the person trying to buy it.
Teaching tip
This 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.
03to disturb or trouble
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to bother or worry someone.
v. to disturb, disquiet, or cause anxiety. This usage is no longer found in modern speech or standard writing.
“The dark thoughts began to solicit his mind during the long night.”
“No worldly cares were permitted to solicit her peace of mind while she remained within the walls of the silent retreat.”
Teaching tip
This sense is found in older literature (17th-19th century). Modern learners should recognize it but not use it in their own writing.
Real-World Examples
“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”.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- 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/solicit
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0