woo

Everyday

1. (old-fashioned) To try to make someone love you so they will be your boyfriend, girlfriend or partner. tree →
2. To try hard to get someone's support, such as voters or customers. tree →
3. (informal) «Woo!» or «woo-hoo!» is a cry of excitement. tree →
4. (slang) «Woo» or «woo-woo» means ideas that are mystical and not backed by science. tree →

In the lessons

In fairy tales and old stories, a prince woos a princess. In news, politicians woo voters and shops woo customers. In everyday life, children shout «woo-hoo!» when happy. In science talk, «woo» is a dismissive word for unscientific claims.

Examples

• The prince wooed the princess with songs. tree →
• The shop is trying to woo new customers with discounts. tree →
• Both parties are wooing young voters. tree →
• Woo-hoo, it's snowing! tree →
• Woo, we won! tree →
• She thinks crystal healing is a lot of woo. tree →
• A suitor comes to woo her. tree →

Note

Past form «wooed», said «wood». Say «woo» like «too». The «woo-woo» sense is informal and can be rude about someone's beliefs.