underwrite

verb

un·​der·​write ˈən-dər-ˌrīt 

ˈən-də-, 

ˌən-dər-ˈrīt, 

ˌən-də-

underwrote ˈən-dər-ˌrōt 

ˈən-də-, 

ˌən-dər-ˈrōt, 

ˌən-də-

; underwritten ˈən-dər-ˌri-tᵊn 

ˈən-də-, 

ˌən-dər-ˈri-tᵊn, 

ˌən-də-

; underwriting ˈən-dər-ˌrī-tiŋ 

ˈən-də-, 

ˌən-dər-ˈrī-, 

ˌən-də-

transitive verb

1

: to write under or at the end of something else

2

: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) for the purpose of thereby becoming answerable for a designated loss or damage on consideration of receiving a premium percent : insure on life or property

also : to assume liability for (a sum or risk) as an insurer

3

: to subscribe to : agree to

4

a

: to agree to purchase (something, such as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a view to public distribution

b

: to guarantee financial support of

underwrite a project

intransitive verb

: to work as an underwriter

Synonyms of underwrite

• fund
• finance
• subsidize

Examples of underwrite in a Sentence

a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition

Recent Examples on the Web

Next, Wealthfront will underwrite the loan and likely complete an appraisal and title search. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Instead, the authors argue public money could have more leverage by underwriting risks that commercial markets currently will not. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Anthropic, a powerhouse AI company that could be valued at $2 trillion, is expected to go public this year, creating another major opportunity for Wall Street banks to haul in fees from underwriting and trading activity. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Regency banknotes were essentially promissory notes underwritten by a specific bank. — Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for underwrite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

underwrite

verb

un·​der·​write ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt 

ˌən-də(r)-ˈrīt

underwrote -ˌrōt 

-ˈrōt

; underwritten -ˌrit-ᵊn 

-ˈrit-ᵊn

; underwriting -ˌrīt-iŋ 

-ˈrīt-

1

: to write under or at the end of something else

2

: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) and thereby agree to insure against specified loss or damage

3

: to agree to

4

a

: to agree to purchase (as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a plan of distribution to the public

b

: to guarantee financial support of

underwrite the project

underwriter

ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt-ər

noun

Legal Definition

underwrite

transitive verb

un·​der·​write ˈən-dər-ˌrīt, ˌən-dər-ˈrīt 

underwrote -ˌrōt, -ˈrōt  ; underwritten -ˌrit-ᵊn, -ˈrit-ᵊn  ; underwriting

1

a

: to assume liability for (a risk) as an insurer

the insurer underwrites individuals, not the group, in franchise health insurance

b

: to issue or set the terms of (an insurance policy)

2

: to agree to purchase (all or part of a security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with the purpose or plan to resell by means of a public offering

was a security brokerage firm which as part of its business underwrote speculative new issues

—UFITEC, S.A. v. Carter, 135 Cal. Rptr. 607 (1977)

3

a

: to put up funds for or guarantee financial support of

b

: to assess the risk of (as a loan)