noun
Uncommon
courtship
KAWT-shihp
Courtship (noun) means the period or process of romantically pursuing someone, usually before marriage. Example: “Their courtship lasted three years before they got engaged.”
noun
1
The period or process of romantically pursuing someone, usually before marriage.
"Their courtship lasted three years before they got engaged."
"The novel follows the courtship of two young aristocrats."
2
Behavior used by an animal to attract a mate.
"The peacock's elaborate display is part of its courtship ritual."
How to use courtship
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe process of romantically pursuing a partner, or (for animals) the ritual behavior used to attract a mate.
Common pairings
courtship ritual
brief courtship
courtship display
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Word forms
- Plural
- courtships
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Their _____ lasted three years before they got engaged.
Etymology
Formed from court plus the suffix -ship, which turns it into a noun describing a state or process.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “courtship” mean?
The word “courtship” means the period or process of romantically pursuing someone, usually before marriage. In plain terms, the process of romantically pursuing a partner, or (for animals) the ritual behavior used to attract a mate.
How do you pronounce “courtship”?
“Courtship” is pronounced KAWT-shihp (/ˈkɔɹt.ʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “courtship” in a sentence?
Here is “courtship” used in a sentence: “Their courtship lasted three years before they got engaged.”
What is another word for “courtship”?
Words with a similar meaning to “courtship” include dating, loveship, suit and wooing.
What part of speech is “courtship”?
“Courtship” is a noun.
Is “courtship” a common word?
“Courtship” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “courtship” have?
“Courtship” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the period or process of romantically pursuing someone, usually before marriage.
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