indemnify

American  

[in-dem-nuh-fahy] / ɪnˈdɛm nəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

indemnified, indemnifying

1. to compensate for damage or loss sustained, expense incurred, etc.

   Synonyms:

   repay, reimburse, recompense

2. to guard or secure against anticipated loss; give security against (future damage or liability).

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indemnify British  

/ ɪnˈdɛmnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for; insure

2. to compensate for loss, injury, expense, etc; reimburse

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Usage

What does indemnify mean? To indemnify is to insure someone against potential damages or loss or to compensate someone for damages or money spent. Insurance coverage indemnifies a person by insuring them for certain potential situations, such as damages to their property from natural disasters or accidents. Indemnify is commonly used in legal contracts to secure protection against being sued or held responsible for an accident. The noun form of indemnify is indemnity, which refers to such protection and is often used in phrases like indemnity clause. Example: The whole purpose of car insurance is to indemnify you in case you get into an accident—buying insurance after an accident happens won’t cover you.

Other Word Forms

• indemnification noun
• indemnifier noun
• preindemnify verb (used with object)
• unindemnified adjective

Etymology

Origin of indemnify

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin indemni(s) “without loss” ( indemnity ) + -fy

Explanation

To pay compensation for a loss, damages, or similar expense is to indemnify. "The insurance company indemnified its customers for their claims after the severe storm — one customer lost three cars, a row boat, and a golf cart." The verb indemnify also means to secure against future loss. The farmers bought insurance to indemnify themselves and their animals against catastrophic loss. The word indemnify comes from the Latin word indemnis, which means "to unhurt." The city wanted to shut down an old local landmark because they were afraid it no longer met modern safety standards, but local citizens wanted it to remain. In a compromise, the owners agreed to indemnify the city against possible loss and the landmark was allowed to remain.

Example Sentences

Earlier this month, Mr Jeffries sued A&F after it refused to pay his criminal defence costs, arguing the brand had agreed to indemnify him for all claims arising out of his position.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2024

“We’re going to indemnify them against any prosecutions.”

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2024

What you end up doing with that knowledge, we hereby indemnify ourselves of, formally.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2024

“We are going to indemnify them, so they don’t lose their wife, their family, their pension and their job,” he said during a speech this month in New York.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2023

And yes, there were precautions administrators took to indemnify themselves against all eventualities.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan