courtship ritual
Romantic display behavior
Courtship ritual refers to the behaviors animals or humans perform to attract mates—displays, dances, gift-giving, or other demonstrations meant to signal fitness or interest.
In humans, the phrase often carries an ironic or anthropological tone, treating dating conventions as if observing another species: Buying drinks is part of the courtship ritual.
The plural form describes the full sequence of such behaviors.
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
- mating danceRitualized movements seeking reproduction
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
- displayPresentation for viewing
- showing offOstentatious self-display
plumage · feathers · preening · wooing · flirtation · seduction · bower · song · strut · peacock · peacock feathers · bird of paradise · bright colors · pheromones · love song · attraction · nesting · breeding
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- courtly lovetroubadour, canso, aubade, medieval romance, chivalric romance
- wedding customswedding vows, wedding veil, wedding rings, wedding gown, wedding ceremony
courtship ritualbreakup
Romantic relationship's termination
divorce · separation · rejection · abandonment · dumping
courtship ritualone-night stand
Casual sexual encounter
booty call · random encounter · friends with benefits · no-strings-attached
court, courtship, courts, courted, courting, courtly, courtesy, courteous, courteously