wooing
Seeking someone's heart
Wooing is the act of trying to win someone's romantic affection or favor.
A suitor woos by paying attention, giving gifts, making declarations of love, and generally trying to make himself attractive to the object of his desire.
The word extends beyond romance to any persistent effort to gain support or approval: Tech companies are wooing recent graduates with signing bonuses.
The verb woo carries an old-fashioned charm that makes it popular in both sincere and ironic contexts.
Attractive, tempting quality
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- enticementSomething that attracts
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- coquetryPlayful amorous behavior
charm · magnetism · enchantment · fascination · dalliance · teasing · playfulness · come-on
Expressions of admiration
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- ingratiationDeliberate favor-seeking behavior
sycophancy · smooth-talking · overpraise · smarm · apple-polishing · bootlicking · cajolery · blandishments
One who seeks affection
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
gallantry · chivalry · courtly · fiancé · fiancée · dowry · banns · matrimony
Warm emotional attachment
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- adorationProfound loving regard
- passionIntense emotional drive
- candlelitLit by wax flames
roses · serenades · Valentine · sweetheart · beloved · beau · amour · lovebirds
Rapid following of quarry
- questSeeking journey for something
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- seekingAttempting to find
striving · determination · tenacity · conquest · campaigning · vying · advances · overtures
allure
Attractive, tempting quality
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- enticementSomething that attracts
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
coquetry · charm · magnetism · enchantment · fascination · dalliance · teasing · playfulness · come-on · siren
compliments
Expressions of admiration
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
ingratiation · sycophancy · smooth-talking · overpraise · smarm · apple-polishing · bootlicking · cajolery · blandishments · wheedling
suitor
One who seeks affection
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
matchmaking · gallantry · chivalry · courtly · fiancé · fiancée · dowry · banns · matrimony · nuptials
affection
Warm emotional attachment
candlelit · roses · serenades · Valentine · sweetheart · beloved · beau · amour · lovebirds · infatuation
chase
Rapid following of quarry
- questSeeking journey for something
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
seeking · striving · determination · tenacity · conquest · campaigning · vying · advances · overtures · attention
- marriagebride, groom, wedding, husband, wife
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, girlfriend
- courtshipcourtship, suitor, betrothal, courtship rituals, dating
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- love expressionsI love you, my love, sweetheart, darling, dear
- Elizabethan comedyTwelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, The Merchant of Venice
wooingdiscouraging
Causing loss of confidence
deterring · dissuading · repulsing · alienating · driving away