underwrite

[ uhn-der-rahyt, uhn-der-rahyt ]
See synonyms for: underwriteunderwritten on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),un·der·wrote [uhn-der-roht, uhn-der-roht], /ˌʌn dərˈroʊt, ˈʌn dərˌroʊt/, un·der·writ·ten [uhn-der-rit-n, uhn-der-rit-], /ˌʌn dərˈrɪt n, ˈʌn dərˌrɪt-/, un·der·writ·ing.
  1. to write under or at the foot of, especially under other written matter.

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

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

  2. to bind oneself to contribute a sum of money to (an undertaking): Wealthy music lovers underwrote the experimental concerts.

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

  4. Insurance.

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

    • to insure.

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

    • to select or rate (risks) for insurance.

verb (used without object),un·der·wrote [uhn-der-roht, uhn-der-roht], /ˌʌn dərˈroʊt, ˈʌn dərˌroʊt/, un·der·writ·ten [uhn-der-rit-n, uhn-der-rit-], /ˌʌn dərˈrɪt n, ˈʌn dərˌrɪt-/, un·der·writ·ing.
  1. to underwrite something.

  2. to carry on the business of an underwriter.

Origin of underwrite

1
First recorded before 1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere “to write underneath, sign, subscribe”; see origin at subscribe

Words Nearby underwrite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use underwrite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underwrite

underwrite

/ (ˈʊndəˌraɪt, ˌʌndəˈraɪt) /


verb-writes, -writing, -wrote or -written (tr)
  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)

  1. insurance

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

    • to insure (a property or risk)

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

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

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

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