sue

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.

“Sue” is pronounced syoo (/sjuː/ in IPA).

Here is “sue” used in a sentence: “The tenant threatened to sue the landlord over unsafe wiring.”

“Sue” is a verb.

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.

“Sue” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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.

'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'.

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.