Solicit
/səˈlɪsɪt/
verbB2
Definition
To solicit means to ask someone for something you want or need, like help, money, advice, or information. It is usually done politely or formally. People can solicit donations, opinions, or business.
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See It in Action
To ask for help, money, or support in a formal or polite way
- •The charity solicited donations for the homeless.
- •The company solicited feedback from its customers.
- •She solicited advice from her teacher before the exam.
To try to get business, customers, or work by asking or advertising
- •The lawyer solicited new clients through online ads.
- •Street vendors solicited customers near the market.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "solicit" like "ask," but more formal and serious—like when you ask for help in an important way
- ✓Picture a person politely holding out a letter or talking carefully to ask for money or support
- ✓It's the feeling when you want something and you politely ask, hoping the other person will say yes
- ✓Sounds like "so-LIS-it" → imagine someone saying "So, list it!" as if asking someone to list what they can give
- ✓Think of a charity worker who politely asks people for donations on the street or on the phone
- ✓NOT like "demand" (which is strong and forceful), "solicit" is polite and respectful asking
- ✓NOT like "beg" (which sounds desperate), "solicit" is more formal and professional
- ✓NOT like "offer" (which gives something), "solicit" means to ask to receive something
Try Other Words
- •Request: to formally or politely ask for something (Use when you want to sound formal but less business-like)
- •Seek: to try to get or find something (Use when focusing on the effort to find or get something)
- •Appeal: to make a serious or urgent request (Use when the request is emotional or urgent)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "so-" (no clear prefix here, but the word sounds like "so" + "licit")
- •Root: from Latin "solicitare" meaning "to disturb, rouse, or urge"
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin "solicitare," which means to disturb or urge someone strongly to do something
- •Historical development: Originally meant to disturb or trouble, then changed to mean to ask earnestly or formally
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or business contexts to mean politely asking for something like help, money, or business
Reflect & Connect
•In what situations is it better to solicit help rather than just ask for it casually?
•How does the word "solicit" change the feeling of a request compared to simply "asking"?
Fill in the blanks
1.The charity solicited ___ from local businesses to support their project.
2.When a company solicits feedback, it usually wants ___ opinions to improve.
3.Unlike a demand, to solicit something means to ask ___ and politely.
4.The lawyer solicited new clients by sending ___ emails.
5.People often solicit donations during the holiday ___.
6.If someone solicits business, they try to ___ customers or clients.
7.The organization solicited help ___ the community after the flood.