woo

verb

ˈwü 

wooed; wooing; woos

transitive verb

1

: to sue for the affection of and usually marriage with : court

2

: to solicit or entreat especially with importunity

woo new customers

3

: to seek to gain or bring about

intransitive verb

: to court a woman

wooer noun

Synonyms

• ask (for)
• court
• flirt (with)
• invite

Examples of woo in a Sentence

The store had a sale in an effort to woo new customers.

The company must find creative ways to woo new employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Only a couple teams can attract a Messi or a Beckham, while far more have a shot at wooing a player like Vela: someone still on the south side of 30, with a few prime years left to give before evolving into an elder statesman and eventually an off-the-field club embassador. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

The Army and Marine Corps also use the money to woo troops to some combat, armor and artillery jobs. —Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025

While he was being wooed by Phoenix, Memphis and Jacksonville, Fla., officials in Baltimore promised to renovate the stadium, and both the city and the state of Maryland made offers to help finance the venture. —Ken Belson, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Unlike some of its peers, Walmart has advantages that have helped it better weather an uncertain economy and woo a more selective U.S. consumer. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wowen, from Old English wōgian

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing woo

• woo-hoo
• woo-woo

Rhymes for woo

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

woo

verb

ˈwü 

1

: to try to gain the love of : court

2

: to seek to gain or bring about

political candidates wooing public support