courting
Dating someone, often with serious intent.
Also called courtin'.
Updated September 21, 2026
courting pronunciation
/KORT-in/
Meaning
Means keeping company with a sweetheart: porch visits, church rides, candy, and talk under watchful parents. Older folks may treat courting as more serious than casual dating. Cousin words include sparking and going with.
How folks use it
- “He's been courting that girl from over the ridge since Easter.”
- “They ain't married yet, but they've been courting steady for a year.”
Origin and etymology
From court, as in paying court with amorous attention, in English since the 1500s. Rural Southern and Appalachian speech kept courting (and sparking) long after dating became the national word. Exact local shades vary: some families use courting for serious courtship and dating for lighter going-out.
Frequently asked questions
Is courting the same as dating?
Close enough for most talk. Courting often sounds older and a bit more serious, like marriage might be on the table.