courting
Seeking someone's affection
Courting is the pursuit of a romantic relationship, especially with intent toward marriage.
The word sounds old-fashioned now, evoking a time of formal rituals and chaperones: They courted for two years before he proposed.
It can also mean seeking favor more broadly: courting investors, courting disaster.
The noun form is courtship.
Romantic pursuit of another
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
- serenadingSinging to charm someone
- suitorOne who seeks affection
- admirerOne who esteems another
proposal · sweetheart · lovebirds · soulmate · boyfriend · girlfriend · partner · lover
Rapid following of quarry
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- wooingRomantic pursuit of another
- seekingAttempting to find
- winningAchieving victory
vying · competing · persistence · determination · attention · advances · overtures · entreaties
Attempting to find
- curryingAdding Indian spices
- solicitingActively seeking responses
- cultivatingDeliberately developing or tending
- pursuingSeeking to attain
winning · gaining · securing · lobbying · petitioning · appealing · ingratiating · flattering
Ceremonial repeated practices
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- matchmakerArranger of romantic pairings
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
arranged · chaperone · dowry · propriety · etiquette · debutante · coming-out · handfasting
Excessive insincere praise
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
coquetry · allure · charisma · finesse · persuasion · sweet-talk · smooth-talking · beguiling
Outdoor romantic performance
- bouquetArranged cluster of blooms
- rosesThorny flowering shrubs
- poetryMetrical literary composition
- sonnetFourteen-line metered poem
candlelight · moonlight · gifts · chocolates · jewelry · rendezvous · tryst · date
wooing
Romantic pursuit of another
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
- serenadingSinging to charm someone
- suitorOne who seeks affection
admirer · proposal · sweetheart · lovebirds · soulmate · boyfriend · girlfriend · partner · lover · crush
chase
Rapid following of quarry
winning · vying · competing · persistence · determination · attention · advances · overtures · entreaties · beseeching
seeking
Attempting to find
- curryingAdding Indian spices
- solicitingActively seeking responses
- cultivatingDeliberately developing or tending
pursuing · winning · gaining · securing · lobbying · petitioning · appealing · ingratiating · flattering · wooing
rituals
Ceremonial repeated practices
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- matchmakerArranger of romantic pairings
matchmaking · arranged · chaperone · dowry · propriety · etiquette · debutante · coming-out · handfasting · blessing
flattery
Excessive insincere praise
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
seduction · coquetry · allure · charisma · finesse · persuasion · sweet-talk · smooth-talking · beguiling · captivating
serenade
Outdoor romantic performance
sonnet · candlelight · moonlight · gifts · chocolates · jewelry · rendezvous · tryst · date · dinner
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, girlfriend
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- bird behaviorsflying, soaring, perching, nesting, migrating
- courtshipsuitor, betrothal, wooing, dating, second date
courtingalienating
Causing emotional separation
antagonizing · repelling · offending · rebuffing · snubbing
- courting disasterRecklessly risking catastrophe