suitor

suitor — noun

1. A man who tries to win a woman's love with the goal of marrying her, typically b

1.名詞B2
釋義

A man who tries to win a woman's love with the goal of marrying her, typically by visiting her family, giving gifts, and showing his serious intentions.

例句

Darius was a shy suitor who brought the Watanabe family flowers every Sunday afternoon.

In the novel, the wealthy suitor proposes to the governess during a walk in the garden.

literary register; past-tense narrative

同義詞
  • admirer

    Less purposeful — an admirer may simply find someone attractive without seeking marriage

  • wooer

    More literary/archaic; emphasises the act of winning affection rather than the marriage goal

  • beau

    Dated but still recognised; refers to a woman's romantic companion, not necessarily aiming for marriage

用法筆記

Frequently found in historical fiction, fairy tales, and formal accounts of courtship. In modern everyday speech it sounds old-fashioned — people usually say 'boyfriend' or 'partner' instead.

常見錯誤

❌She introduced her suitor to the family' (when she is still dating casually).
✅She introduced her fiancé to the family
💡'suitor' implies a one-sided pursuit of marriage, not a mutual dating relationship.
❌The suitor filed a lawsuit against the company.
✅The company faced a suitor from Japan.
💡'suitor' in the corporate sense describes a takeover bidder; for legal action, use 'plaintiff' or 'claimant'.

2. A person, investment group, or company that tries to buy enough shares of anothe

2.名詞C1
釋義

A person, investment group, or company that tries to buy enough shares of another company to gain control of it.

例句

The German engineering firm faced an unexpected suitor from South Korea last year.

corporate takeover context; passive construction

Three potential suitors have submitted preliminary bids for the pharmaceutical company.

同義詞
  • bidder

    Broader — any party that makes an offer, not necessarily for corporate control

  • acquirer

    More neutral; can refer to a company that has already completed a purchase

  • buyer

    General term; lacks the specific takeover/investment connotation

反義詞
  • target company

    The company being pursued rather than the one doing the pursuing

用法筆記

Subject is usually a company or a group of investors. The object is typically another company ('target company'). Common in financial news and merger-and-acquisition reporting. Highly metaphorical — the romantic 'pursuit' image is borrowed from Sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌The suitor bought the car.
✅The company received a takeover offer from an unexpected suitor.
💡'suitor' in business English always refers to a would-be acquirer of an entire company, not a buyer of ordinary goods.