woo

1 of 2

verb

ˈwü 

wooed; wooing; woos

transitive verb

1

: to sue for the affection of and usually marriage with : court

2

: to solicit or entreat especially with importunity

woo new customers

3

: to seek to gain or bring about

intransitive verb

: to court a woman

wooer noun

wooer

2 of 2

noun

woo·​er

ˈwüə(r), 

ˈwu̇(ə)r, 

ˈwu̇ə

plural -s

: one that woos : suitor, lover

Synonyms of woo

Verb

• invite
• seek

Examples of woo in a Sentence

Verb

The store had a sale in an effort to woo new customers.

The company must find creative ways to woo new employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rather than build a nest to attract a female, some males woo other males who have already built nests. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

The country also set out plans to build an AI industrial park called Kampong AI, set to open in 2028 with workspaces and housing facilities to woo AI start-ups. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 19 June 2026

Beyond the Strip Nevada needs to actively woo business and attract workers in order to continue leading in job growth, local economic advocates said. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 19 June 2026

And if Garrett’s arrival does actually woo Donald from retirement, this could go down as one of the most memorable trades in NFL history. — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wowen, from Old English wōgian

Noun

Middle English wowere, from Old English wōgere, from wōgian to woo + -ere -er

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing woo

• woo-hoo
• woo-woo

Rhymes for woo

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

woo

verb

ˈwü 

1

: to try to gain the love of : court

2

: to seek to gain or bring about

political candidates wooing public support