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 Direct Line Insurance Group Plc and electronics retailer Currys Plc both rejected bids from overseas buyers this week, while UK warehouse operator Wincanton Plc got an offer from a US logistics provider, kicking off a bidding war with its French suitor. Alexandra Muller, Fortune Europe, 1 Mar. 2024 By the time the Queen music assets came to market in May 2023, interested suitors were likely scrutinizing the catalog’s activity from 2020 to 2022, when the band’s music averaged nearly 1.53 million album consumption units a year. Ed Christman, Billboard, 6 Feb. 2024 Perry reportedly was the standout suitor to move forward with the deal, but the company ultimately decided to drop negotiations last year. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 31 Jan. 2024 On Monday’s premiere, host Jesse Palmer revealed that, with 32 women showing up on night 1, Graziadei, 28, had more suitors than any previous Bachelor. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024 His performances for Liverpool, however, have surely persuaded several potential suitors of his ability. Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Other potential suitors opted for relatively inexpensive, short-term options. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 This arrangement appeared to benefit all parties: Hogarth, who would soon need to start searching for a suitor, gained access to her sister’s dynamic social scene. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 Breeding While the male’s colorful feathers attract females, some researchers believe that the size of the tear-drop marking on the hen’s head signals age and reproductive potential to prospective suitors. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 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

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