sue
syoo
Sue (verb) means to take legal action against someone, typically in a civil (non-criminal) case. Example: “If the builder doesn't fix the roof, we may have to sue him.”
verb
1
To take legal action against someone, typically in a civil (non-criminal) case.
"sue someone for selling a faulty product"
"If the builder doesn't fix the roof, we may have to sue him."
"I plan to sue you for everything you have."
"The tenant threatened to sue the landlord over unsafe wiring."
"She sued the company for wrongful dismissal."
How to use sue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take someone to court, usually for money or damages.
Common pairings
sue someone for damages
sue a company
threaten to sue
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sues
- Past tense
- sued
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If the builder doesn't fix the roof, we may have to _____ him.
Etymology
From Middle English sewen, from Old French sivre, "to follow," from Vulgar Latin sequere, "to follow" — the same root that gives us sequence and suit.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sue
See all rhymes for sue →Frequently asked questions
What does “sue” mean?
The word “sue” means to take legal action against someone, typically in a civil (non-criminal) case. In plain terms, to take someone to court, usually for money or damages.
How do you pronounce “sue”?
“Sue” is pronounced syoo (/sjuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “sue” in a sentence?
Here is “sue” used in a sentence: “The tenant threatened to sue the landlord over unsafe wiring.”
What part of speech is “sue”?
“Sue” is a verb.
Where does the word “sue” come from?
The word “sue” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Middle English sewen, from Old French sivre, "to follow," from Vulgar Latin sequere, "to follow" — the same root that gives us sequence and suit.
Is “sue” a common word?
“Sue” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'sue' and 'prosecute'?
To sue means to take legal action against someone in a civil case, usually to claim money or force a remedy for harm. To prosecute means to bring criminal charges against someone on behalf of the state, so 'sue' belongs to civil law while 'prosecute' belongs to criminal law.
What preposition goes with 'sue'?
'Sue' is commonly followed by 'for' to state what is being claimed, as in 'sue for damages' or 'sue for breach of contract'. It also pairs with 'over' to name the issue, as in 'sue over a faulty product'.
Can you sue and press criminal charges at the same time?
Suing refers only to civil legal action, typically seeking compensation. A single event can sometimes lead to both a civil lawsuit and a separate criminal case, but the act of suing itself is always the civil, non-criminal path.
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