underwrite

American  

[uhn-der-rahyt, uhn-der-rahyt] / ˌʌn dərˈraɪt, ˈʌn dərˌraɪt /

verb (used with object)

underwrote, underwritten, underwriting

1. to write under or at the foot of, especially under other written matter.

2. to sign one's name, as to a document.

3. to show agreement with or to support by or as if by signing one's name to, as a statement or decision.

4. to bind oneself to contribute a sum of money to (an undertaking).

   Wealthy music lovers underwrote the experimental concerts.

5. to guarantee the sale of (a security issue to be offered to the public for subscription).

6. Insurance.

   1. to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming liable in case of certain losses specified in the policy.

   2. to insure.

   3. to assume liability to the extent of (a specified sum) by way of insurance.

   4. to select or rate (risks) for insurance.

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verb (used without object)

underwrote, underwritten, underwriting

1. to underwrite something.

2. to carry on the business of an underwriter.

underwrite British  

/ ˌʌndəˈraɪt, ˈʊndəˌraɪt /

verb

1. finance to undertake to purchase at an agreed price any unsold portion of (a public issue of shares, etc)

2. to accept financial responsibility for (a commercial project or enterprise)

3. insurance

   1. to sign and issue (an insurance policy) thus accepting liability if specified losses occur

   2. to insure (a property or risk)

   3. to accept liability up to (a specified amount) in an insurance policy

4. to write (words, a signature, etc) beneath (other written matter); subscribe

5. to support or concur with (a decision, statement, etc) by or as if by signature

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Etymology

Origin of underwrite

First recorded before 1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere “to write underneath, sign, subscribe”; subscribe

Example Sentences

There have been some credit cracks in private credit in recent months, though proponents point to what they consider to be strong underwriting standards and ample historical returns.

From Barron's

The NIM is especially important for regional banks, which don’t have large income streams from capital-markets activity, including underwriting and trading revenue, that the universal banks enjoy.

From MarketWatch

Of those borrowers, roughly 40% would struggle to secure private loans on their own based on current private-loan underwriting rules, the research found.

From MarketWatch

Elliott is talking with banks about the idea of an initial public offering but hasn’t chosen an underwriting syndicate, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chubb is a global leader in the P&C industry with some of the best underwriting margins and the second-highest market value among U.S. companies.

From Barron's

Related Words

• approve
• bankroll
• finance
• guarantee
• provide
• secure
• sponsor
• subsidize