underwrite

[uhn-der-rahyt, uhn-der-rahyt]

verb (used with object)

underwrote, underwritten, underwriting. 

1. to write under or at the foot of, especially under other written matter.

2. to sign one's name, as to a document.

3. to show agreement with or to support by or as if by signing one's name to, as a statement or decision.

4. to bind oneself to contribute a sum of money to (an undertaking).

   Wealthy music lovers underwrote the experimental concerts.

5. to guarantee the sale of (a security issue to be offered to the public for subscription).

6. Insurance.

   1. to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming liable in case of certain losses specified in the policy.

   2. to insure.

   3. to assume liability to the extent of (a specified sum) by way of insurance.

   4. to select or rate (risks) for insurance.

verb (used without object)

underwrote, underwritten, underwriting. 

1. to underwrite something.

2. to carry on the business of an underwriter.

underwrite

/ ˌʌndəˈraɪt, ˈʊndəˌraɪt /

verb

1. finance to undertake to purchase at an agreed price any unsold portion of (a public issue of shares, etc)

2. to accept financial responsibility for (a commercial project or enterprise)

3. insurance

   1. to sign and issue (an insurance policy) thus accepting liability if specified losses occur

   2. to insure (a property or risk)

   3. to accept liability up to (a specified amount) in an insurance policy

4. to write (words, a signature, etc) beneath (other written matter); subscribe

5. to support or concur with (a decision, statement, etc) by or as if by signature

Word History and Origins

Origin of underwrite¹

First recorded before 1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere “to write underneath, sign, subscribe”; subscribe

Example Sentences

In England, clubs have relied on the generosity of wealthy owners like Bruce Craig at Bath and Bristol Bears' Steve Lansdown to underwrite the costs of maintaining a big playing squad.

From BBC

“Insurance companies have been using their own risk maps and other robust risk management tools to assess wildfire risk for years in making rating and underwriting decisions,” Stolfi said in a news release.

From Salon

Perhaps Wilson’s closest confidant was Beverly Hills philanthropist Betty Freeman, who underwrote several of Wilson’s productions, including “Einstein on the Beach,” the opera he created with Philip Glass.

From Los Angeles Times

"As lenders' losses are 100% underwritten by government, there is no commercial incentive to assist with recovery of taxpayers' money," it added.

From BBC

Under the pilot, Hawaiian engineering students from families with low incomes can borrow from a $2.5-million revolving fund underwritten by the Castle Foundation and other donors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• approve 
• bankroll 
• finance 
• guarantee 
• provide 
• secure 
• sponsor 
• subsidize