verb (used with object)
1.
2.
to seek to win: to woo fame. Synonyms: cultivate.
3.
to invite (consequences, whether good or bad) by one's own action; court: to woo one's own destruction.
4.
to seek to persuade (a person, group, etc.), as to do something; solicit; importune. Synonyms: petition, sue, address, entreat; butter up.
verb (used without object)
5.
to seek the affection or love of someone, usually a woman; court: He was reminded of his youth when he went wooing.
6.
to solicit favor or approval; entreat: Further attempts to woo proved useless.
00:10
Woo
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
Origin:
before 1050; Middle English wowe, Old English wōgian
before 1050; Middle English wowe, Old English wōgian
Related forms
woo·er, noun
woo·ing·ly, adverb
un·wooed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To woo
Collins
World English Dictionary
woo (wuː) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , woos, wooing, wooed | |
| 1. | to seek the affection, favour, or love of (a woman) with a view to marriage |
| 2. | (tr) to seek after zealously or hopefully: to woo fame |
| 3. | (tr) to bring upon oneself (good or evil results) by one's own action |
| 4. | (tr) to beg or importune (someone) |
| [Old English wōgian, of obscure origin] | |
| 'wooer | |
| —n | |
| 'wooing | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
woo
O.E. wogian, of uncertain origin and with no known cognates; perhaps related to woh, wog- "bent, inclined," as with affection.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
Few doubt that it will use all its skill and muscle to reduce prices and woo shoppers.
Flowers evolved many colors to woo and nectar, an additional lure.
In the world of birds some species adopt similar aerial displays to woo their mates.
But to build the new facilities they need, the two universities must woo large donors, too.
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