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

Key Background Greenland has been sought after by countries like the U.S. and Russia, with suitors specifically attracted by the island’s mineral resources and its location as a strategic Arctic military asset. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Below are the odds on the top Rodgers suitors' chances of landing the 41-year-old former MVP. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025

Notre Dame, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, Alabama were among his numerous other suitors. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025

The New Jersey Devils could be another possible suitor, especially now with an injury to Jack Hughes. —Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 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