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

She was just wooed by Fennell’s script and its take on Cathy, which worked out well for the director who was looking for a heavy dose of likability in her female lead. —Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025

Busson enjoys the historical resonance of his effort to woo moviemakers back from the West Coast, bringing Edison’s story full circle. —Andrew Rice, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2025

But Agnes, though being wooed by William Shakespeare himself, doesn’t have the same relationship with words, nor need for them. —Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

Schools woo new coaches all the time, but rarely does the courtship play out so publicly, making this a fascinating southern drama — one that is expected to resolve Saturday. —Christian Orozco, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025

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