verb C2 Proficient

solicit

suh-LIH-siht

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Solicit (verb) means to ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally. Example: “The charity solicited donations from local businesses.”

verb

To ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally.

"The charity solicited donations from local businesses."

"The magazine solicits reader feedback every issue."

To offer sex for money, especially in public.

"He was arrested for soliciting near the train station."

How to use solicit

Learner’s notes

In 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.

When to use it

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.

Common pairings

solicit donations solicit feedback solicit business

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: solicits
Third person singular: solicits
Past tense: solicited

Test yourself on “solicit” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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court hook romance tap beg woo accost

Related words

take court completely join address catch draw hang

Rhymes for solicit

elicit deficit illicit implicit explicit complicit

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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