endeavor
en-DEV-er
/enˈdev.ər/
An effort to achieve a goal (noun); to try hard to do or achieve something (verb).
Implies a serious, organized undertaking or duty requiring sustained labor.
The story behind the word. Formed from Anglo-French 'en devoir', meaning 'in duty'. To 'do one's endeavor' originally meant doing what duty demanded. By the 16th century, it shifted from an obligation of duty to any serious effort.
Word relationships
- undertaking: 'Undertaking' emphasizes the scope of a enterprise; 'endeavor' emphasizes the exertion involved.
- attempt: 'Attempt' is neutral and simple; 'endeavor' sounds noble, deliberate, and sustained.
- inaction: Lack of action or effort.
- neglect: Failure to care for or attempt a task.
Commonly confused with
- endure: 'Endure' means to withstand pain/time; 'endeavor' means to work hard toward a goal.
Word family
- endeavored (verb): Past tense of endeavor.
Collocations
- scientific endeavor
- artistic endeavor
- endeavor to improve
- worthwhile endeavor
Idioms & expressions
- make every endeavor
Example sentences
- "Mapping the human genome was a monumental scientific endeavor." Scientific progress
- "We shall endeavor to complete the infrastructure construction before winter setting in." Formal commitment
Memory hook
When you EN-DEAVOR, you perform your DUTY (devoir) with effort. Endeavor = duty-bound noble effort.
When not to use
Avoid using for casual, trivial efforts like 'I will endeavor to answer the text'.
Fun facts
- HMS Endeavour was the famous British Royal Navy research vessel commanded by Captain James Cook.
Related words
Explore more words
make an effort, enterprise, campaign, perseverance, diligent, expedition
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