suitor

noun

suit·​or ˈsü-tər 

1

: one that petitions or entreats

2

: a party to a suit at law

3

: one who courts a woman or seeks to marry her

4

: one who seeks to take over a business

Synonyms

• gallant
• swain
• wooer

Examples of suitor in a Sentence

He was her most persistent suitor, and she eventually agreed to marry him.

An unwanted suitor is buying up the company's stock.

Recent Examples on the Web

Schwarber could still find himself in red pinstripes next season, but the other suitors will be doing everything in their power to sway him to their city. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

There of course would be rival suitors for both, especially the in-his-prime Giannis. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

There has been mounting speculation about the future of ITV Studios and potential suitors. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025

Recent mixed results at Palace should not cloud suitors’ judgement. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sutour, suytour, follower, petitioner, from Anglo-French siuter, suytour, from Latin secutor follower, from sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for suitor

• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• tutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

suitor

noun

suit·​or ˈsüt-ər 

1

: one that petitions or pleads

2

: a party to a suit at law

3

: a man who courts a woman or seeks to marry her

Legal Definition

suitor

noun

suit·​or ˈsü-tər 

1

: a party to a suit

2

: one that seeks to take over a business

approved the merger before the suitor obtained a 10% stake

—Wall Street Journal