solicit
Solicit (verb) means to ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally. Example: “The charity solicited donations from local businesses.”
How to use solicit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo formally or persistently ask for something (like money, opinions, or business), or, in a specific legal sense, to offer paid sex in public.
The sexual sense is common in legal and news contexts (e.g. "arrested for soliciting"); the general "ask for" sense is used in business and everyday writing.
Word forms
solicited past tense, solicits plural, solicits singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The charity _____ donations from local businesses.
Etymology
From Old French soliciter, from Latin sollicitāre ("to stir up, disturb, urge"), from sollicitus ("agitated, anxious").
Related words
Rhymes for solicit
See all rhymes for solicit →Frequently asked questions
What does “solicit” mean?
The word “solicit” means to ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally. In plain terms, to formally or persistently ask for something (like money, opinions, or business), or, in a specific legal sense, to offer paid sex in public.
How do you pronounce “solicit”?
“Solicit” is pronounced suh-LIH-siht (/səˈlɪsɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “solicit” in a sentence?
Here is “solicit” used in a sentence: “The charity solicited donations from local businesses.”
What part of speech is “solicit”?
“Solicit” is a verb.
Where does the word “solicit” come from?
The word “solicit” comes from Latin. From Old French soliciter, from Latin sollicitāre ("to stir up, disturb, urge"), from sollicitus ("agitated, anxious").
How many meanings does “solicit” have?
“Solicit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally.
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