endear
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make dear, esteemed, or beloved.
He endeared himself to his friends with his gentle ways.
-
Obsolete. to make costly.
verb
Other Word Forms
- unendeared adjective
Etymology
Origin of endear
Explanation
Things that endear you to others — like your sense of humor or your skill at baking chocolate chip cookies — cause them to be fond of you. The verb endear is almost always followed by the word "to," as in the sentence "The teacher's ready smile and gentle voice endear him to the class of kindergartners." When something endears you to another person, he or she adores you. In the 1500s, endear meant "increase the value of," though it quickly came to mean "make dear," or perhaps to increase the emotional value, especially of another person.
Vocabulary lists containing endear
Grade 10, List 5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Born a Crime
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This marketing strategy naturally didn’t endear him to others in his industry, since it implied that they were moving too fast and in the process breaking things.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026
As he said it, Alcaraz flashed the infectious smile which has helped endear him to crowds globally.
From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025
However, roses on my birthday, coinciding with the anniversary of our infamous sailing date, and our exchanges of “I love you,” did endear him to me.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025
This answer may not endear me to anyone.
From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025
Luke went over to the ancient television and turned the knob, hoping it would endear Toby to the idea of staying put.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
