woo

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

Synonyms of woo

• invite
• seek

Examples of woo in a Sentence

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

Christie’s, as always, is willing to adapt to the tastes of their clients, but the auction house also has multiple strategies for wooing tech wealth and trying to convert them to fine art. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026

Jackson also must implement a statewide campaign network and woo over the state’s large independent base. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

The trailer also offers an extended look at Jackie's new friendship with Eliot, including his attempts to woo her back to New York. — Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026

Didier Deschamps’ side had wooed everybody with their vast attacking talents, yet Spain completely threw them off their rhythm. — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wowen, from Old English wōgian

First Known Use

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