wooer

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who tries to win the love or affection of someone, especially with the aim of marriage.

   Grammar: Countable noun: a wooer, the wooer, two wooers.

   Patterns

   • a wooer of someone
   • someone's wooer

   In the story, the princess had many wooers, but she loved only the gardener.

   He acted like a persistent wooer, bringing her flowers every day.

   The young man was a wooer of the mayor's daughter, hoping to marry her.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A person who tries to gain the support, favor, or business of someone or a group.

   Grammar: Often used with 'of': a wooer of voters, a wooer of investors.

   Patterns

   • a wooer of someone
   • a wooer of something

   The politician was a skilled wooer of undecided voters.

   As a wooer of new clients, she knew exactly what to say.

   The company became a wooer of top talent by offering great benefits.

Word forms

Common combinations

a persistent wooer

He was a persistent wooer, never taking no for an answer.

a successful wooer

He was a successful wooer and soon won her heart.

a wooer of voters

The candidate was a wooer of voters in rural areas.

a young wooer

A young wooer called at the house every evening.

Synonyms and how they differ

suitor

More formal and often used in literary contexts; it specifically means a man who wants to marry a woman.

admirer

Focuses on feelings of liking or love, not necessarily on marriage; can be less serious than 'wooer'.

courter

Rare and old-fashioned; means someone who tries to win favor or love, similar to 'wooer'.

Word family

woo verb

To try to win someone's love or support.

wooing noun

The act of trying to win someone's love or support.

Commonly confused: wooer or woofer?

Practice

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