endow

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/ɪnˈdaʊ/
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A formal verb meaning to provide lasting money or to furnish someone or something with a quality, ability, or feature.

Examples

  • The new system endows the device with better security.
  • She was endowed with a sharp memory.
  • The constitution endows citizens with certain rights.
  • He seemed endowed with endless patience.
  • The gift will endow a chair in medieval history.

Similar words

subsidize
gift
bless
sponsor
provide
finance
invest
furnish
donate to
imbue

Meanings

Fund for lasting support

verb
business
formal
To give money or property to an institution, fund, scholarship, position, or project so it can continue to be supported over time.

Examples

  • The family endowed a scholarship for engineering students.
  • A former patient helped endow the new hospital wing.
  • The gift will endow a chair in medieval history.
  • Several alumni endowed a fund for library access.
  • The trust was created to endow the museum permanently.
  • A major donation endowed the research center.

Similar words

Provide with a quality or ability

verb
everyday
formal
To give someone or something a quality, ability, feature, or resource, often by nature, birth, design, or imagination.

Examples

  • She was endowed with a sharp memory.
  • The landscape is endowed with rare natural beauty.
  • The author endows the hero with quiet courage.
  • The new system endows the device with better security.
  • He seemed endowed with endless patience.
  • The constitution endows citizens with certain rights.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English endowen, from Anglo-French endower, built from en- plus dower or douer, to give a dowry or provide. The deeper source is Latin dotare, from dos, meaning gift or dowry.

FAQ

What does endow mean?

Endow means to provide money for lasting support, or to furnish someone or something with a quality, ability, or feature.

What does endowed with mean?

Endowed with means provided with or naturally having a quality, ability, feature, or resource.

Is endow formal?

Yes. Endow is fairly formal and is common in education, charity, law, finance, and polished description.

What is the difference between endow and donate?

Donate can describe any gift. Endow usually suggests a large or lasting gift that supports something over time.

What preposition is used with endow?

Use with for the thing given or possessed, as in endowed with talent or endowed the school with funds.

What are synonyms of endow?

Depending on the sense, synonyms include fund, finance, support, provide, equip, bless, and furnish.

What are the forms of endow?

The regular forms are endow, endows, endowed, and endowing.

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