courtship

noun

court·​ship ˈkȯrt-ˌship 

: the act, process, or period of courting

Synonyms

• dating
• romance

Examples of courtship in a Sentence

They had a two-year courtship before marrying.

The male of the species often displays aggression during courtship.

the President's courtship of middle-class voters

Recent Examples on the Web

So did the norms of courtship—the moral status of promises, oaths, and kisses, for instance, or how to value the love of a good man versus the money of a worse one. —Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025

Her jaded, matter-of-fact assessment of courtship is a breath of fresh air for a genre where women are so often swayed by flowers and romantic dinners. —Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Lucy, who knows everything there is about marketability in the game of courtship, falls for the ultimate unicorn in Pedro Pascal’s ultimate rich dude, Harry. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 June 2025

However, Francis’ parents strongly objected to their courtship. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courtship

• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• equip
• filmstrip
• flagship
• gunship
• headship
• heirship
• judgeship
• kinship
• lightship

Kids Definition

courtship

noun

court·​ship -ˌship 

: the act or process of courting