Endorse

/ɪnˈdɔːrs/

verbmedium📊CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To publicly support or approve of something or someone.

/ɪnˈdɔːrs/

verbpositivemedium
Action

To declare one's public approval or support of.

The organization endorsed the proposal.

💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite singer loves a new type of headphones so much they tell everyone about them. They are *endorsing* the headphones! It means they are supporting and recommending something.

👶 For kids: To say you like something and want other people to like it too.

More Examples

2

The senator endorsed the bill to reduce taxes.

3

Several famous athletes endorse sports equipment.

How It's Used

Politics

"The candidate was endorsed by several prominent celebrities."

Advertising

"Celebrities often endorse products to increase sales."

2

To sign the back of a document to make it valid or to transfer it.

/ɪnˈdɔːrs/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To sign the back of a check or other negotiable instrument to transfer it.

Please endorse the check before depositing it.

💡 Simply: When you get a check, you have to sign the back to get the money. That's *endorsing* the check.

👶 For kids: To sign your name on a paper so it can be used.

More Examples

2

He endorsed the bill to transfer ownership.

3

She endorsed the passport to allow for travel.

How It's Used

Finance

"You need to endorse the check before you can cash it."

Tip:Think of writing your name on the *back* of a document to show you agree with it.

Idioms & expressions

endorse a check

To sign the back of a check to transfer or cash it.

"You must endorse a check to cash it at the bank."

endorse a candidate

To publicly support a political candidate.

"The celebrity endorsed a candidate for president."

From Middle English endossen, from Old French endosser (“to put on the back of, to write on the back”), from en- (“in, on”) + dos (“back”).

Historically, 'endorse' was primarily used to refer to signing the back of documents, especially financial instruments. Over time, its usage expanded to mean support or approval.

Memory tip

Think of signing your name *on the back* (dorsal) of something, like a check, to show you agree with it.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to write on the back"

endorse a candidateendorse a productendorse a proposalendorse a checkendorse a bill

Common misspellings

endoresindorse

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written