endorse

verb

en·​dorse in-ˈdȯrs 

en-

variants or less commonly indorse

in-ˈdȯrs 

endorsed also indorsed; endorsing also indorsing; endorses also indorses

transitive verb

1

a

: to write on the back of

especially : to sign one's name as payee on the back of (a check) in order to obtain the cash or credit represented on the face

b

: to inscribe (one's signature) on a check, bill, or note

c

: to inscribe (something, such as an official document) with a title or memorandum

d

: to make over to another (the value represented in a check, bill, or note) by inscribing one's name on the document

e

: to acknowledge receipt of (a sum specified) by one's signature on a document

2

a

: to approve openly

endorse an idea

especially : to express support or approval of publicly and definitely

endorse a mayoral candidate

b

: to recommend (something, such as a product or service) usually for financial compensation

shoes endorsed by a pro basketball player

3

medical : to report or note the presence of (a symptom)

He endorsed nausea without emesis and denied any associated shortness of breath.

—Dana Johnson et al.

endorsable

in-ˈdȯr-sə-bəl 

en-

adjective

endorsee

in-ˌdȯr-ˈsē 

ˌen-

noun

endorser

in-ˈdȯr-sər 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• advocate
• adopt
• support
• embrace

Choose the Right Synonym for endorse

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.

approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

Examples of endorse in a Sentence

The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor.

We do not endorse their position.

She endorses a line of clothing.

That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars.

You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is because the clerics who have issued or endorsed the threats belong to an ultra-hard-line camp inherently against any diplomatic engagements with the U.S. or the West. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

The teachers union joins a growing list of labor organizations endorsing Wu in her incumbent campaign against Josh Kraft, including the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, several SEIU locals, Teamsters Local 25 and more. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025

Churches are now able to endorse political candidates after a court filing against a decades-long rule. —Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025

Ackman has been increasingly outspoken on social and political issues on X, endorsing Donald Trump in 2024. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of obsolete endoss, from Middle English endosen, from Anglo-French endosser, to put on, don, write on the back of, from en- + dos back, from Latin dorsum

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for endorse

• concourse
• divorce
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racecourse
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce

Kids Definition

endorse

verb

en·​dorse

variants also indorse

in-ˈdȯ(ə)rs

endorsed; endorsing

1

: to sign the back of (a check, bank note, or bill) especially to receive payment, to indicate method of payment, or to transfer to someone else

2

: to show support or approval of

endorse a candidate

endorsee

in-ˌdȯ(ə)r-ˈsē 

noun

endorser noun

Legal Definition

endorse

transitive verb

en·​dorse

variants also indorse

in-ˈdȯrs

endorsed also indorsed; endorsing also indorsing

1

: to write on the back of

especially : to sign one's name as payee on the back of (an instrument) in order to receive the cash or credit represented on the face

endorse a check

2

: to inscribe (as one's signature or a notation accompanied by one's signature) on an instrument (as a note or bill) especially to transfer or guarantee it

3

: to transfer (an instrument) to another by inscribing one's signature

assume that payee endorses a note to creditor as security for a debt

—Uniform Commercial Code

4

: to inscribe (as an official document) with a notation (as of date or title)

Etymology

Anglo-French endosser, endorser and Medieval Latin indorsare, both ultimately from Latin in on + dorsum back