Courtship is the time when two people get to know each other before deciding to get married or be together. It often involves dates, gifts, and spending time together. This word is used in both formal and everyday English.
Their courtship lasted for two long years.
He brought her flowers during their courtship.
In biology and nature, courtship refers to the special actions animals do to attract a partner for mating. These actions can include singing, dancing, showing colorful feathers, or performing special movements. This meaning is very common in science and nature studies.
The bird's courtship dance was very beautiful.
Peacocks use their feathers in courtship.
In business or politics, courtship means working hard to attract and win the support of someone important. For example, a company might court a big client by offering special deals and attention. This is a figurative use of the word, borrowed from the romantic meaning.
The company's courtship of new investors took months.
The politician's courtship of young voters was successful.
In sports and career contexts, courtship describes the effort made by teams, companies, or schools to attract a talented person to join them. This can involve offers, meetings, and special presentations to impress the person. It is a figurative extension of the romantic meaning.
The team's courtship of the star player finally worked.
Her courtship by top universities ended with Harvard.
Historically, courtship was a very formal and controlled process where a man and woman met under the watchful eye of their families before marriage. Strict rules governed how they could speak, meet, and spend time together. This meaning is often discussed in history, literature, and cultural studies.
Old courtship rules were very strict and formal.
In past times, courtship required family approval always.
In legal contexts, courtship can refer to the persuasive effort of a lawyer to gain the trust and favor of a judge or jury during a trial. This is a rare and specialized use of the word. It highlights the idea of winning someone's approval through careful and respectful behavior.
His courtship of the jury impressed every legal observer.
Skillful courtship of the judge helped win the case.
In educational or professional settings, courtship can describe the careful process of building a close, supportive relationship between a senior and junior person. The goal is often to inspire loyalty, guide development, and create a lasting bond. This is a metaphorical extension and is relatively uncommon.
The professor's courtship of bright students was well known.
His courtship of a young mentor shaped his whole career.
In literary and poetic language, courtship can describe a deep, devoted, and sometimes obsessive pursuit of a non-human ideal such as fame, perfection, or power. This meaning treats abstract goals as if they were romantic partners that must be won through dedication and effort. It is highly figurative and mostly found in literary texts.
His lifelong courtship of perfection defined his art.
Her courtship of fame came at a great personal cost.
