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undertake

[ uhn-der-teyk ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈteɪk /
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See synonyms for: undertake / undertaken / undertakes / undertaking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), un·der·took [uhn-der-took], /ˌʌn dərˈtʊk/, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.
to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt: She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive): The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause): The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to: The lawyer undertook a new case.
verb (used without object), un·der·took [uhn-der-took], /ˌʌn dərˈtʊk/, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.
Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.
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Origin of undertake

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; see under-, take

OTHER WORDS FROM undertake

pre·un·der·take, verb (used with object), pre·un·der·took, pre·un·der·tak·en, pre·un·der·tak·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use undertake in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for undertake

undertake
/ (ˌʌndəˈteɪk) /

verb -takes, -taking, -took or -taken
(tr) to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)to undertake a job; to undertake to deliver the goods
(tr) to attempt to; agree to start
(tr) to take (someone) in charge
(intr foll by for) archaic to make oneself responsible (for)
(tr) to promise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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