Insure Meaning
/ɪnˈʃɔː(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo provide for compensation if some specified risk occurs. Often agreed by policy (contract) to offer financial compensation in case of an accident, theft or other undesirable event.
verbTo deal in such contracts; subscribe to a policy of insurance
Sentence Examples
Insure your house against fire.
I'd like to insure this, please.
Yanni has to insure his life for his family.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Before driving on public roads, you must legally ____ your car against accidents.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company will ____ your package against loss or damage during shipping for an additional fee.
Word Origin & History
First attested in c. 1440, as a variant of Middle English ensuren (from Anglo-Norman enseurer, itself from Old French en- + seür (“sure”), probably influenced by Old French asseürer (“to assure”)); took on its particular sense of "make safe against loss by payment of premiums" in 1635, replacing assure. Doublet of ensure.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
— 1787, Preamble to the United States Constitution:
""I have a friend at court," whispered she to her companion: "last night I singled out one of Sir Robert's secretaries, and a few smiles made him my devoted chevalier, and he promised to insure an interview.""
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Sir Robert Walpole and House”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 237:
"[…] the sentry placed over the prisoner had strict orders to let no one have communication with him but the Chaplain. And certain unobtrusive measures were taken absolutely to insure this point."
— 1924, Herman Melville, chapter 19, in Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co.:
"The latest in automation equipment, combined with highly skilled craftsmen, insure the high quality of the Packard Clipper."
— 1954, Packard Motor Car Company, Packard Clipper Owner's Manual:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Before driving on public roads, you must legally ____ your car against accidents.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company will ____ your package against loss or damage during shipping for an additional fee.