court
/kɔːt/ (bre, ipa) · /kɔːrt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkȯrt/ (ame, mw)
court — noun
1. a room or building where a judge and sometimes a jury listen to evidence and dec
a room or building where a judge and sometimes a jury listen to evidence and decide whether someone has broken the law, or where civil disputes between people or organizations are resolved
The judge entered the court and everyone stood up.
article the + court as the place
Tamar's lawyer asked the court to delay the trial by two weeks.
The court found the driver guilty of dangerous driving.
The witness felt nervous as she walked into the court.
- courtroom
refers specifically to the room, not the institution or people
- tribunal
a special court for specific types of cases; more formal
- courthouse
the building that contains courtrooms
- bench
the judge or judges collectively; used in a more abstract sense
文法句型
the court
in court
before the court
a court of law
用法筆記
Frequently used with a definite article ('the court') when referring to a specific legal proceeding. When 'court' is uncountable, it refers to the legal process as an institution ('He went to court'). When countable, it refers to a specific building or room ('There are three courts in this building').
常見錯誤
2. the process of starting a legal case against someone in order to get a decision
the process of starting a legal case against someone in order to get a decision from a judge — used especially in the phrases 'go to court' and 'take someone to court'
Aarav's neighbour threatened to take him to court over the fence dispute.
take + someone + to court
The company decided not to go to court and instead offered a settlement.
Felipe said he would sue, but his family urged him not to go to court.
The musician took his former manager to court over unpaid royalties.
- sue
the verb form of taking legal action
- litigation
the formal legal process; more technical
- lawsuit
the case itself as a countable noun
文法句型
go to court
take someone to court
bring someone to court
settle in court
用法筆記
Always appears in fixed phrases — 'go to court', 'take someone to court', 'bring someone to court'. The phrase 'day in court' also exists ('Everyone deserves their day in court').
常見錯誤
3. a way of ending a legal disagreement by agreement between the two sides, without
a way of ending a legal disagreement by agreement between the two sides, without the case being heard and decided by a judge — used especially in the phrases 'settle out of court' and 'out-of-court settlement'
The companies agreed to settle out of court rather than pay lawyers for a long trial.
settle out of court
Noor's family reached an out-of-court settlement with the landlord over the damaged roof.
out-of-court settlement
Marco wanted a public trial, but his legal team advised settling out of court.
The landlord and tenant settled out of court to avoid further legal fees.
- settlement
the agreement itself; more general
- negotiated resolution
more formal and general
- trial
the formal court hearing
文法句型
settle out of court
out-of-court settlement
用法筆記
Primarily used in the compound adjective 'out-of-court' (with hyphens) before a noun, or in the adverbial phrase 'out of court' (no hyphens) after the verb 'settle'. Usually describes a financial agreement where one side pays the other to avoid a formal judgment.
4. a flat, marked outdoor or indoor space where sports like tennis, basketball, or
a flat, marked outdoor or indoor space where sports like tennis, basketball, or badminton are played
Hyun and Yuna played tennis on the outdoor court until sunset.
on + the + [type] + court
The school built two new basketball courts behind the gymnasium.
Players must stay inside the lines on a badminton court during a match.
Amihan wiped the sweat from her face and walked off the basketball court.
文法句型
a + type of + court
on + the + court
用法筆記
Always used with the sport name first: 'tennis court', 'basketball court', 'badminton court', 'squash court'. The preposition 'on' is used with court ('on the court'), not 'in'. Some courts have specific surface names: 'clay court', 'grass court', 'hard court' for tennis.
常見錯誤
5. an uncovered flat open space formed by the walls of surrounding buildings, often
an uncovered flat open space formed by the walls of surrounding buildings, often found inside a castle, school, or large building complex and used as a quiet outdoor area
The hotel has a beautiful central court with a fountain and flowering plants.
central court — describing a building's inner open area
Shirin sat in the court outside her apartment and read a book in the sun.
The students gathered in the inner court of the college to hear the announcement.
Nicholas left his bicycle in the paved court behind the library.
- courtyard
the more common word in modern English for the same concept
- plaza
a public open square in a city
- quadrangle
a rectangular open area surrounded by buildings, especially in universities (often 'quad')
文法句型
the + court
a + adjective + court
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'courtyard', which is the more common modern word. 'Court' alone in this meaning is slightly more formal or historical (often in descriptions of old buildings, castles, or colleges). In modern architecture, 'courtyard' is preferred.
6. a word that appears as part of the official name of an apartment building, a blo
a word that appears as part of the official name of an apartment building, a block of flats, or a short street — for example 'Windsor Court' or 'Maple Court'
Nicholas lives at 12 Cedar Court, a quiet apartment building near the park.
number + name + Court as postal address
The meeting was held at 5 Elm Court, the third building on the right.
Ife moved into a flat at Windsor Court last spring.
The post office is at 22 Cedar Court, just past the grocery store.
文法句型
[number] + [name] + Court
用法筆記
This is a component of proper nouns (street names, building names) and is always capitalized as part of the name. Common in British English addresses for short streets or apartment blocks. It is not used as a general noun in this sense — you cannot say 'I live in a court' to mean an apartment building.
常見錯誤
7. the official home and residence of a king or queen, including the buildings, gar
the official home and residence of a king or queen, including the buildings, gardens, and grounds associated with it
The royal court of King Louis XIV was at the Palace of Versailles.
the + royal court + of + [ruler]
Amihan toured the historic court of the Spanish monarchs in Toledo.
Visitors are not allowed inside the private apartments of the court.
The queen's court included a grand ballroom and a private chapel.
- palace
the building itself; more specific for the residence
- castle
a fortified royal residence
- royal residence
formal term for where a monarch lives
文法句型
the + [monarch] + 's + court
at court
the royal court
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 8 — this sense (7) refers to the physical place (the palace or castle), while sense 8 refers to the group of people associated with the monarch. The phrase 'at court' means present in the royal residence as part of the social/political life there.
常見錯誤
8. a ruler together with their family, close advisors, and attendants who make up t
a ruler together with their family, close advisors, and attendants who make up the circle of people staying at the royal residence and serving the monarch
The entire court attended the coronation ceremony in the great hall.
the + entire + court as a collective group
Eve wrote about the intrigues and rivalries within the Tudor court.
The emperor's court included scholars, generals, and artists from across the region.
The king's court gathered every morning to discuss matters of state.
文法句型
the + court
the + [ruler] + 's + court
用法筆記
A collective noun — when the subject is 'the court', the verb can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is seen as a unit ('The court was divided') or as individuals ('The court were arguing among themselves'). British English allows both; American English prefers singular.
court — verb
1. to act in a deliberately friendly or flattering way toward a powerful person or
to act in a deliberately friendly or flattering way toward a powerful person or group, hoping to win their backing, approval, or partnership
The senator spent months courting union leaders before the election.
court + person/group for support
Tamar courted the local business owners by promising lower taxes.
The new manager courted the factory workers with flexible hours and better breaks.
The charity courted wealthy donors by hosting a private dinner at a gallery.
- woo
similar meaning but slightly more emotional and less formal
- cultivate
to develop a relationship carefully over time
- solicit
to ask for support or money; more direct and less relational
- curry favor with
idiomatic; implies trying to gain approval through flattery
- alienate
to make someone feel unfriendly or unsupportive
文法句型
court + noun (someone's favor/support/alliance)
用法筆記
More deliberate and strategic than simply 'please' — it implies a planned effort to gain someone's backing. Often used in political, business, or organizational contexts. The object is usually a group or a person with influence.
常見錯誤
2. to try deliberately to get something such as public attention, popularity, or ap
to try deliberately to get something such as public attention, popularity, or approval, often by behaving in a noticeable way
The singer courted publicity by posting dramatic videos every single day.
court + publicity
Shirin's loud outfit was clearly designed to court attention at the party.
court + attention
The politician courted controversy with his comments about immigration policy.
The museum courted more visitors by offering free admission on weekends.
文法句型
court + noun (publicity/attention/controversy)
用法筆記
Often carries a slightly disapproving tone — it suggests the person is trying too hard or doing something inappropriate to get noticed. 'Court publicity' and 'court controversy' are especially common collocations in journalism.
常見錯誤
3. to behave in a way that makes something bad or unpleasant more likely to happen
to behave in a way that makes something bad or unpleasant more likely to happen to you
If you ride a motorcycle without a helmet, you are courting disaster.
court + disaster
The general courted defeat by sending his troops into the valley without backup.
Marco courted criticism by publishing his results before the peer review was complete.
Aarav courted danger by hiking up the mountain alone in a heavy storm.
- risk
more general and neutral; can be used with any outcome
- invite
similar meaning of causing something to happen
- tempt fate
idiom meaning to take a foolish risk
文法句型
court + noun (disaster/danger/injury/defeat/criticism)
用法筆記
Almost always used with negative outcome nouns: 'disaster', 'danger', 'defeat', 'injury', 'controversy', 'criticism'. The speaker implies the person is being irresponsible or foolish. Not used with neutral or positive outcomes — you cannot say 'court success'.
常見錯誤
4. to show romantic interest in another person with the goal of eventually getting
to show romantic interest in another person with the goal of eventually getting married, especially in a traditional or formal way typical of earlier times
In the 19th century a gentleman courted a woman by visiting her home with flowers.
court + someone — dated/formal romantic pursuit
Nicholas courted his wife for two years before proposing to her.
The prince courted the young noblewoman at royal balls and garden parties.
Eve was courted by three young men that summer, but she refused them all.
- woo
similar formality level; emphasizes trying to win someone's love
- date
the modern equivalent
- romance
as a verb, similar but slightly less formal
- pay court to
idiomatic phrase; even more formal and dated
文法句型
court + someone
用法筆記
Now considered old-fashioned or very formal. In modern English, 'date', 'go out with', or 'see someone' are more common. This sense survives mainly in historical novels, period films, and formal contexts such as royal or aristocratic settings. The noun form 'courtship' (the period of romantic relationship leading to marriage) is still in moderate use.