endorse
en-DORSS
/ɪnˈdɔːrs/
To declare one's public approval or support of; to sign a check on the back to make it payable.
A formal, often public, stamp of approval. It carries the weight of one's reputation.
The story behind the word. From the Medieval Latin 'indorsare', literally meaning 'to write on the back'. This originally referred to signing the back of a legal document or a check.
Word relationships
- sanction: Sanction often implies official permission; endorse is more about public support.
- denounce: To denounce is to publicly declare something to be wrong or evil.
Commonly confused with
- advocate: Advocating is arguing for a cause; endorsing is giving your name and approval to a person or product.
Word family
- endorsement (noun): An act of giving one's public approval or support.
Collocations
- fully endorse
- celebrity endorsement
- endorse a check
Example sentences
- "The former president decided to endorse the young candidate." Political campaign
- "I can heartily endorse her for the position of project manager." Professional recommendation
Memory hook
Think of the 'dorsal' fin on a shark's 'back'. Endorsing is writing on the back. Sign the back.
When not to use
Don't use it for small personal preferences (e.g., 'I endorse this sandwich' sounds like a commercial).
Fun facts
- In the UK, 'endorsement' can also mean a note on a driving license recording a motoring offense.
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