These six verbs overlap, but they do not express the same intention. Some describe playful interest; others suggest a deliberate effort to attract or persuade.
- Flirt means to show romantic or sexual interest playfully. It does not necessarily suggest serious intentions. They flirted while waiting for their coffee. We usually say flirt with someone.
- Charm means to win people over through an appealing personality or manner. Romance is not required. The guide charmed everyone with her cheerful stories.
- Woo means to try to win someone’s love through attention or affection. It also describes efforts to attract customers or supporters. The hotel is wooing families with free children’s activities.
- Court, in romance, suggests pursuing a serious relationship and sounds formal or old-fashioned. He courted her before they married. In business or politics, it commonly means seeking favor or support: The candidate courted younger voters.
- Beguile can mean to delight or fascinate, especially in literary writing: The storyteller beguiled the audience. It can also suggest deception through charm: She beguiled him into revealing the password.
- Seduce can mean to persuade someone to have sex. Figuratively, it means to tempt through something attractive: The advertisement seduced buyers with promises of luxury.
Context matters: attracting someone’s attention is not automatically romantic, and a charming manner does not by itself imply deception.