endorse
en-DORSS
/ɪnˈdɔːrs/
To declare public approval or support of a person, product, or policy; to sign on the back of a check.
Endorse carries a strong sense of public alignment and active promotion. It is highly visible and often carries commercial or political weight.
The story behind the word. In medieval times, legal documents and financial agreements were written on long sheets of parchment. To show approval or to transfer ownership of a document, a person would write their signature on the actual back of the parchment. This was called 'indorsare' in Medieval Latin, from 'dorsum' meaning 'back'. Thus, when you endorse something today, you are metaphorically signing your name on its back.
Word relationships
- support: Support is a general term that can be private, while endorse is specifically public and official.
- advocate: Advocate means to speak in favor of a cause, while endorse is to give a stamp of approval to a specific person or product.
- oppose: Oppose means to actively fight or speak against, whereas endorse is to publicly support.
- denounce: Denounce is a strong, public condemnation, the exact opposite of a public endorsement.
Commonly confused with
- indict: Indict means to formally accuse of a crime, while endorse means to support or approve.
Word family
- endorsement (noun): An act of giving public approval or support.
- endorser (noun): A person who endorses someone or something.
Collocations
- heartily endorse
- endorse a candidate
- endorse a check
Example sentences
- "The former president decided to endorse the young senator during the national convention." A political campaign where a prominent figure supports a candidate.
- "She was offered a lucrative contract to endorse the luxury brand's new line of watches." A commercial context where a celebrity promotes a brand.
Memory hook
Think of a dorsal fin on the 'back' of a dolphin. To 'endorse' is to write on the 'back' of a document. Endorse = Write on the back.
When not to use
Do not use endorse for simple, private agreements between friends; it is too formal and public.
Fun facts
- The anatomical term 'dorsal' (as in dorsal fin) shares the exact same Latin root as 'endorse'.
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