courtship

noun

court·​ship ˈkȯrt-ˌship 

: the act, process, or period of courting

Synonyms of courtship

• 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

Through it all, the growth of dating apps has changed how courtship is practiced. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

According to the heteronormative version of bluegill courtship, mating season begins when males start building nests—basically, bowl-like depressions in the lake bed. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Yes, their courtship was singular, sweeping and at times volatile, but I was mostly struck by the acute disconnect between the way they were posthumously characterized by friends and family and the often misogynistic, reductive narrative that surrounded them at the time. — Connor Hines, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Dating, courtship, fun, hobbies, creativity, sports and games will all be on the top of your mind. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courtship

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

Kids Definition

courtship

noun

court·​ship -ˌship 

: the act or process of courting