endorse

American  

[en-dawrs] / ɛnˈdɔrs /

verb (used with object)

endorsed, endorsing

1. to approve, support, or sustain.

   to endorse a political candidate.

   Synonyms:

   second, back, sustain, uphold, ratify, sanction

2. to designate oneself as payee of (a check) by signing, usually on the reverse side of the instrument.

3. to sign one's name on (a commercial document or other instrument).

4. to make over (a stated amount) to another as payee by one's endorsement.

5. to write (something) on the back of a document, paper, etc..

   to endorse instructions; to endorse one's signature.

6. to acknowledge (payment) by placing one's signature on a bill, draft, etc.

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noun

1. Heraldry. a narrow pale, about one quarter the usual width and usually repeated several times.

endorse British  

/ ɪnˈdɔːs /

verb

1. to give approval or sanction to

2. to sign (one's name) on the back of (a cheque, etc) to specify oneself as payee

3. commerce

   1. to sign the back of (a negotiable document) to transfer ownership of the rights to a specified payee

   2. to specify (a designated sum) as transferable to another as payee

4. to write (a qualifying comment, recommendation, etc) on the back of a document

5. to sign (a document), as when confirming receipt of payment

6. to record (a conviction) on (a driving licence)

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Other Word Forms

• endorsable adjective
• endorser noun
• endorsingly adverb
• endorsive adjective
• endorsor noun
• preendorse verb (used with object)
• reendorse verb (used with object)
• subendorse verb (used with object)
• superendorse verb (used with object)
• unendorsable adjective
• unendorsed adjective
• well-endorsed adjective

Etymology

Origin of endorse

First recorded in 1350–1400; variant (with en- for in- ) of earlier indorse, from Medieval Latin indorsāre “to endorse,” equivalent to Latin in- in- ² + -dorsāre, derivative of dorsum “back”; replacing endoss, Middle English endossen, from Old French endosser, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + -dosser, derivative of dos, from Latin dorsum

Explanation

To endorse is to give support to someone or something. "I endorse this!" means "I think this is a good thing, and so should you." People endorse in many ways. When someone endorses a politician, it means "You should vote for this person, and I'm putting my reputation on the line to say so." When someone endorses a product in a commercial, it means "Go buy this! You'll like it." To endorse is to give support. You can also endorse a check, which means writing your name or someone else's on the back so that you or the other person can cash or deposit it.

Example Sentences

But other justices said the court should not rule broadly to endorse digital searches of vast data bases held by private companies.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

“Gavin Newsom’s megaphone is loud enough to echo across this race, leading other prominent members of the party to endorse whomever he chooses and vaulting someone, finally, out of the crowded pack,” Kousser said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Ranji was clear he didn’t endorse this practice: “I would definitely not recommend that patients upload their medical records to any AI due to lack of privacy standards.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as you can imagine, doesn’t endorse “Mormon Wives” for many reasons.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

The chief expected us to disavow any such absurdities before he could endorse our church.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• advocate
• affirm
• approve
• back
• commend
• confirm
• defend
• favor
• okay
• praise
• ratify
• recommend
• sanction
• uphold