English Explanatory Dictionary

insure

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To provide for compensation if some specified risk occurs. Often agreed by policy (contract) to offer financial compensation in case of an accident, theft or other undesirable event.
  2. To deal in such contracts; subscribe to a policy of insurance
  3. Alternative spelling of ensure; to make sure or certain of; guarantee.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈʃɔː(ɹ)/ /ɪnˈʃʊə(ɹ)/ /ɪnˈʃʊɚ/ /ɪnˈʃɝ/ En-us-insure.ogg

Word forms

insure insures insuring insured

Etymology

First attested in c. 1440, as a variant of Middle English ensuren (from Anglo-Norman enseurer, itself from en- + seür (“sure”), probably influenced by Old French asseürer (“to assure”)); took on its particular sense of "make safe against loss by payment of premiums" in 1635, replacing assure. Doublet of ensure.

Related words

insurant assure ensure inshore

Derived words

coinsure disinsure insurability insurable insurance insuree insurer overinsure reinsure self-insure underinsure
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