courtship
KORT-ship
/ˈkɔːrt.ʃɪp/
A period during which a couple develop a romantic relationship, especially with a view to marriage.
Courtship is more formal and structured than 'dating.' It often involves family approval and specific social rituals.
The story behind the word. The word 'court' originally referred to the enclosed yard of a king's residence. 'Courtship' evolved because romantic pursuit often happened within the royal court, following strict rules of etiquette.
Word relationships
- dating: 'Dating' is the modern, informal equivalent.
- suit: 'Suit' is an older term for the act of wooing.
- estrangement: The state of being no longer on friendly terms.
Commonly confused with
- marriage: Courtship is the process; marriage is the result.
Word family
- court (verb): To seek the affections of.
Collocations
- formal courtship
- brief courtship
- extended courtship
Example sentences
- "After a year of formal courtship, the couple finally announced their engagement." Describing a traditional relationship.
- "The courtship of Miles Standish." A classic literary opening. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Title of a famous poem))
Memory hook
'Courtship' is like a 'ship' sailing toward the harbor of marriage. Courtship: The 'ship' to marriage.
When not to use
Too formal for a casual 'hookup' or a modern, low-pressure dating scenario.
Fun facts
- In the animal kingdom, 'courtship' refers to the elaborate displays (like a peacock's tail) used to attract a mate.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.