endeavor
Use endeavor in a sentence
ər verb (used without object)
1.
to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive: We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.
verb (used with object)
2.
to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.
3.
Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.
noun
4.
a strenuous effort; attempt.
Also, especially British, en·deav·our.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en-1, devoir
1350–1400; Middle English endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en-1, devoir
Related forms
en·deav·or·er; especially British, en·deav·our·er, noun
pre·en·deav·or, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To endeavor
Collins
World English Dictionary
endeavour or endeavor (ɪnˈdɛvə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to try (to do something) |
| —n | |
| 2. | an effort to do or attain something |
| [C14: endeveren, from | |
| endeavor or endeavor | |
| —vb | |
| —n | |
| [C14: endeveren, from | |
| en'deavourer or endeavor | |
| —n | |
| en'deavorer or endeavor | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
endeavor
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
endeavor
early 15c., lit. "in duty," from phrase put (oneself) in dever "make it one's duty" (a partial translation of O.Fr. mettre en deveir "put in duty"), from O.Fr. dever "duty," from L. debere "to owe" (see debt). One's endeavors meaning one's "utmost effort" is from late 15c.
Related: Endeavored; endeavoring.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Each endeavor begins with a fresh concept and a desire to achieve something new.
Observers say one of the project's main risks is that it could be perceived as an effete, academic endeavor.
However, even traversing the area around them was a precarious endeavor.
It sounds funny, but it's a real endeavor-- and it's going well.
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