suitor

noun

suit·​or ˈsü-tər 

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

Synonyms of suitor

• boyfriend
• lover
• wooer
• man
• fellow

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

Should talks with Rafael or other defense suitors bear fruit, VW's potential to repurpose its obsolete Osnabrück plant – which the company is due to close in 2027 – could save up to 2,300 jobs. —Sam Meredith,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026

Matthews has been the subject of trade rumors, with the Kings being linked as a potential suitor. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026

Most importantly, those rights allow the Hornets to go over the salary cap to retain White’s services, giving them an advantage over other potential suitors. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026

The reversal sent shockwaves through the NFL and reopened speculation about Crosby’s market value and potential suitors. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for suitor

• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• tutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

suitor

noun

suit·​or ˈsüt-ər 

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 

1

: a party to a suit

2

: one that seeks to take over a business

approved the merger before the suitor obtained a 10% stake

—Wall Street Journal