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
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.
Primary Wave has put in $100 million to kick off the endeavor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
At a university famous for its role in left-wing activism during the 1960s free speech movement and anti-Vietnam War protests, Pelosi vows to promote a nonpartisan academic endeavor.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026
The fast-food company also recently has been bulking up technology and artificial-intelligence capabilities, looking to move more capital involved in the endeavor.
From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026
For many singles, dating is already an expensive endeavor that doesn’t always yield a positive outcome.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
And only he knew exactly how treacherous this endeavor might prove.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
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.
