What does solicit mean?
To solicit is to request, seek, or campaign for something, often in a formal or persistent manner. A person may solicit support, donations, information, opinions, applications, or bids, while a business may solicit customers or orders. The verb is more deliberate and often more formal than ask for, suggesting an organized effort to obtain a response or benefit. It can also mean actively approaching potential clients or participants rather than waiting for them to come. In legal and administrative language, solicit commonly refers to formally asking for bids, tenders, payment, or submissions. Solicit therefore conveys both the act of requesting something and, in commercial settings, the effort to attract business or participation.
verbTo make a formal or earnest request for something, such as support, information, payment, or bids. It can also mean to approach someone with a business proposition or actively seek customers or business.
- To ask for or try to obtain something, usually in a formal, deliberate, or persistent way.
- To approach people or organizations in order to obtain business, customers, or orders.
- To invite or seek responses, comments, or participation from people.
- To make an official or formal request for something, especially bids, tenders, or payment.
"The charity solicited donations through a nationwide advertising campaign."
"The committee solicited views from residents before approving the proposal."
"The company solicits feedback from customers through an online survey."
"Local businesses were invited to solicit bids for the construction contract."
The word that begins with a request can also mean to attract business: a firm solicits customers simply by seeking their attention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does solicit come from?
Solicit comes from the Latin sollicitare, meaning to stir up, disturb, or urge. The Latin verb was related to sollicere, meaning to worry or attract, and developed through the sense of vigorously urging or appealing to someone. Middle English borrowed the word in the sense of to request or petition, and its modern meanings include formally seeking support, business, or bids.
Related word forms
How solicit is actually used
Solicit is more formal and deliberate than ask for. In business and legal contexts, it often implies actively seeking business, bids, applications, or payment rather than simply making a casual request.
Easily confused with solicit
Solicit is a verb meaning to request or seek something, whereas solicitous is an adjective meaning attentive, concerned, or anxious about someone's well-being.