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

• bankroll
• capitalize
• endow
• finance
• fund
• stake
• subsidize

Examples of underwrite in a Sentence

a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition

Recent Examples on the Web

The company also was grappling with the pending loss of Thrive funding, a 10-year plan to underwrite local arts and culture groups. —Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024

Rosenthal was active in the community, where her many contributions included underwriting the neonatal unit at Cook Children’s Medical Center and ensuring construction of the new temple for Beth-El Congregation. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024

The savings that the company expects from this strategy, including the sale of some of its assets, could help underwrite such improvements. —Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024

Midsize banks underwrite a huge volume of loans for commercial real estate, so if developers and property owners have a hard time paying them off, that could set off a chain reaction in the financial sector, too. —Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has underwritten a transformation of the domestic soccer scene, luring European stars to the Saudi Pro League. —Samindra Kunti, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Taxpayers already underwrite the debt on that development. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

Funds could underwrite the translation of works into English and other languages and allow Ukrainian culture makers to travel globally, helping to rally international support for Kyiv’s cause. —Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024

Amazon Lending will continue to service existing loans for sellers that the company has already underwritten, as well as those that have recently been offered to sellers. —Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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 an expedition

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)