endeavor

American  

[en-dev-er] / ɛnˈdɛv ər /

especially British, endeavour

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to attempt; try.

   He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.

2. Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.

noun

1. a strenuous effort; attempt.

Synonym Usage

See try. See effort.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preendeavor
  noun
• endeavorer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of endeavor

First recorded in 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

Explanation

When you endeavor to do something, you try hard to make it happen. A determined student might endeavor to get straight As on her report card. "The ordinary objects of human endeavor — property, outward success, luxury — have always seemed to me contemptible," wrote Albert Einstein. Presumably, NASA had loftier objects in mind when they named one of their space shuttles Endeavour, using the British spelling. The word comes from the Old French phrase mettre en deveir, or "put in duty." As a verb, it's a more impressive word than try and suggests you're doing your darnedest to make something happen.

Related Words

• aim
• effort
• enterprise
• struggle
• undertaking
• venture