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

• gallant
• swain
• wooer

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

Quinn-Toye also made his professional debut with the production with the role of Paris, a suitor to Juliet. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Oct. 2024

However, Nvidia would be a far better suitor, with the ability to pay up to 50% more for Intel. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

As previously reported, the new season will follow Benedict Bridgerton as the series’ newest suitor. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 16 Sep. 2024

He’s checked off one box and hopes his potential suitors this offseason recognize the progress made toward the second. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2024

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

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