English Explanatory Dictionary

sue

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To file a legal action against someone, generally a non-criminal (civil) action.
  2. To seek by request; to make application; to petition; to entreat; to plead.
  3. To clean (the beak, etc.).
  4. To leave high and dry on shore.
  5. To court.
  6. To follow.
name
  1. A diminutive of the female given name Susan and of related female given names; popular as a middle name.
noun
  1. Synonym of Mary Sue (“type of character in fiction”).

Pronunciation

/sjuː/ en-us-sue.ogg /sɪu̯/ /suː/ /ʃuː/

Word forms

sue sues suing sued Su

Etymology

From Middle English seuen, sewen, siwen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman suer, siwer et al. and Old French sivre (“to follow after”) (modern French suivre), from Vulgar Latin *sequere (“to follow”), from Latin sequi. Cognate with Italian seguire and Spanish seguir. Doublet of segue. Related to suit.

Synonyms

implead Mary Sue

Related words

fig-sue

Derived words

countersue nonsuing resue suability sueable sue for peace sue me sue one's livery sue out suingly unsued Sueish Suella Suellen Suethor
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