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

The more Guehi’s current deal at Palace ticks down, the greater the chance a major suitor in Spain, Italy or Germany may be able to afford a transfer fee that Palace deem acceptable. —Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

Among potential suitors, Golden State has decided not to pursue Butler, according to The Athletic. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

Trump wants to rekindle his Kim Jong Un bromance, but North Korea has other suitors now, writes Daniel R. DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs commentator for the Spectator. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are two of the top suitors in the Santander sweepstakes. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 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

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