# solicit

/səˈɫɪsɪt/ (US) · /səlˈɪsɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to ask for something

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to ask someone for money, help, or their opinion in a formal way.

For teachers: to request or entreat someone for something, such as financial support, information, or feedback. Often used in professional or charitable contexts.

- 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.

### 2. to offer sexual services

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

to offer to have sex with someone, usually for money.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to disturb or trouble

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to bother or worry someone.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The charity will solicit donations from local businesses.
- The committee sent out a survey to solicit feedback from the employees regarding the new office layout.
- Before finalizing the urban development plan, the city council held several public hearings to solicit testimony from residents and environmental experts alike.

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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.