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

Potential suitors would also naturally be looking at what the future holds for the entertainment business at large. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

As with the original format, contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind a wall. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Plus, DeMar DeRozan now appears to have a new suitor in the Nuggets. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

But Radke also had a warning for any potential suitor who doesn’t treat his ex-fiancée well. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 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