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

"It's extreme. The market is underwriting that future uncertainty in a doom-based scenario."

From Barron's

Shares of these asset managers have been sliding for months due to concerns about their underwriting standards.

From MarketWatch

Its property and casualty combined operating ratio—a measure of underwriting profitability—reached 92.6%, roughly in line with expectations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Analysts often issue positive coverage on new stocks, especially if their firms were involved as investment bankers that helped underwrite the deal.

From Barron's

It underwrites the sorts of elite cultural and educational institutions that Alexis de Tocqueville and others believed an egalitarian democracy would have difficulty nurturing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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