Insure
/ɪnˈʃʊər/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo arrange to receive financial protection against loss or damage.
/ɪnˈʃʊər/
To protect against loss or damage by a contract.
They insured their car against theft.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a brand-new bike. To 'insure' it means you pay a company a little bit of money regularly, and if your bike gets stolen or broken, the company will help you get a new one or fix it. It's like a promise to protect your stuff!
👶 For kids: To make sure something is safe. Like, if you insure your toys, then if they break, you can get new ones.
More Examples
The company offers insurance to insure employees' benefits.
I need to insure my trip in case of cancellation.
How It's Used
"The homeowner decided to insure his house against fire."
"The company insures its employees' health."
To make certain or guarantee that something will happen or be the case.
/ɪnˈʃʊər/
To make certain of something; to ascertain.
The contract clauses insure that both parties fulfil their obligations.
💡 Simply: Imagine you REALLY want to win the game. To 'insure' your win is to do everything possible to make sure you win. That might mean practicing, getting the best team, and having a good strategy! You're practically guaranteeing your success.
👶 For kids: To make sure something is going to happen.
More Examples
Good preparation can help insure against problems.
He took several steps to insure the project's success.
How It's Used
"She insured her success by studying hard."
"Careful planning can insure a successful outcome."
From Middle French *assurer*, meaning "to assure, make sure," ultimately from Latin *securus*, meaning "secure, safe". The prefix "in-" (from Latin *in-* meaning "in, on") was added to the root to give the word its current meaning.
Historically, 'insure' was used more broadly to mean 'ensure' or 'make certain,' but its primary use shifted towards financial protection over time.
Memory tip
Think of a security blanket. Insurance is like a financial security blanket against bad things.
Word Origin
"safe, secure"