endeavor
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to attempt; try.
He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.
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Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.
noun
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endeavors
plural
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing endeavor
The Declaration of Independence
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List 8
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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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.
See Examples For:
Your imperfect, wonderful life was always a shared endeavor.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
As an artistic endeavor, it was a little bit of a challenge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
“Another thing about emphasizing the efficacy of youthful endeavor in changing the world is the riff of the song was written by Roman,” Morello explained.
From Salon ● Sep. 22, 2026
Calling the endeavor “Touch High Project,” Tang said Z.AI would invest in building AI systems that can improve themselves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
The new endeavor consumed as many person-hours as it could be given.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
How similar in practice depends on the deterrent power of U.S. capabilities across the full spectrum of military, economic, diplomatic and informational endeavors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
On the second level, a chef’s kitchen with high-end stainless appliances, a center island, and sweeping ocean views is poised to inspire impressive culinary endeavors.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Through the late 70s to early aughts, Curry balanced stage commitments with screen projects and musical endeavors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
The sailors and pearl divers of the Indian Ocean had intimate understandings of shallow reefs—“vernacular knowledge”—that often aided British endeavors to draw maps and document marine life.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
As in most endeavors I have encountered in my life, “doing it better than anyone” is not a reasonable goal.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
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.
