Added 9 October 2026
courtship
/ˈkɔːt.ʃɪp/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about courtship at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The act of paying court, that is, demonstrating such politeness and respect as is traditionally given at a court (“a formal assembly of a sovereign's retinue”). The ceremonial performance of acts of courtesy to a dignitary, etc. The act of wooing a person to enter into a romantic relationship or marriage; hence, the period during which a couple fall in love before their marriage.
- The ceremonial performance of acts of courtesy to a dignitary, etc.
- The act of wooing a person to enter into a romantic relationship or marriage; hence, the period during which a couple fall in love before their marriage.
Origin
From court (“demonstration of such respect as is traditionally given at court; attention directed to a person in power; behaviour designed to gain favour; politeness of manner; civility towards someone”) + -ship (suffix forming nouns indicating a property or state of being).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)