What does soliciting mean?
Soliciting means actively asking for something that one needs or wants, especially money, support, information, customers, or business. It is often associated with fundraising, political campaigning, recruitment, and commercial activity: a charity solicits donations, while a campaign solicits votes. The word can also mean encouraging someone to perform an action, and in some legal contexts it refers specifically to offering or seeking sexual services in a public place. Although it is the present participle of “solicit,” it is frequently used as a standalone gerund, especially in journalism and formal descriptions of organized activity. Its connotation depends heavily on context: soliciting support is ordinarily neutral or constructive, whereas soliciting sex in public is generally regarded as illicit or offensive. The verb is common in British and American English, although legal usage may differ between jurisdictions.
verbSoliciting is the act of asking someone persistently for money, support, information, or business, or of actively encouraging someone to do something. It can also refer specifically to offering or seeking sexual services in a public place.
- To make an active or persistent request for money, support, information, or assistance.
- To seek customers, investors, employment, bids, or other business.
- To encourage another person to undertake an action.
- To offer or seek sexual services in a public place.
"The campaign volunteers spent the afternoon soliciting donations from local businesses."
"The charity spent the morning soliciting donations from passersby."
"The candidate began soliciting votes throughout the district."
A word for earnest requests can become sharply accusatory when it refers to soliciting sex in a public place.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soliciting come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin “sollicitare,” meaning “to stir up, disturb, or request urgently.” That form developed from Latin “sollicitus,” meaning “anxious, troubled, or concerned,” which explains the word’s early association with earnest concern or entreaty. Its English descendants include “solicit,” “solicitation,” and “solicitor,” although the modern sense of seeking business or money developed later from the idea of making a serious request.
Related word forms
How soliciting is actually used
The term is neutral when used for fundraising, campaigning, recruitment, or commercial solicitation. In legal and public contexts, however, it may imply prohibited activity, especially when associated with prostitution; the precise legal meaning can vary by jurisdiction.
Easily confused with soliciting
Soliciting is the act of making a request or seeking business, whereas a solicitor is a person or organization that performs that activity and, in British usage, may also mean a lawyer.