suitor

noun

suit·​or ˈsü-tər How to pronounce suitor (audio)
1
: one that petitions or entreats
2
: a party to a suit at law
3
: one who courts a woman or seeks to marry her
4
: one who seeks to take over a business

Examples of suitor in a Sentence

He was her most persistent suitor, and she eventually agreed to marry him. An unwanted suitor is buying up the company's stock.
Recent Examples on the Web And reports circulated widely after a Los Angeles screening in March, attended by honchos of major studios and streaming platforms, that no suitor was stepping forward. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024 But might a suitor convince her there's more for her in this life than settling? Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for suitor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suitor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sutour, suytour, follower, petitioner, from Anglo-French siuter, suytour, from Latin secutor follower, from sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suitor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near suitor

Cite this Entry

“Suitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suitor. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

suitor

noun
suit·​or ˈsüt-ər How to pronounce suitor (audio)
1
: one that petitions or pleads
2
: a party to a suit at law
3
: a man who courts a woman or seeks to marry her

Legal Definition

suitor

noun
suit·​or ˈsü-tər How to pronounce suitor (audio)
1
: a party to a suit
2
: one that seeks to take over a business
approved the merger before the suitor obtained a 10% stakeWall Street Journal

More from Merriam-Webster on suitor

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