Undertake Meaning
/ˌʌndəˈteɪk/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).
verbTo commit oneself (to an obligation, activity etc.).
Sentence Examples
Whatever we may undertake, diligence is important.
I have a mind to undertake the work.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company decided to ____ a difficult project to develop clean energy sources.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company has decided to ____ a major research project to develop several new and more efficient products today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English undertaken; equivalent to under- + take (after undernim).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This said, he sat; and expectation held
His look suspense, awaiting who appeared
To second, or oppose, or undertake
The perilous attempt."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 417-420:
"[…] if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us
With some few bands of chosen soldiers,
I’ll undertake to land them on our coast
And force the tyrant from his seat by war."
— c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
"That is her ransom; I deliver her;
And those two counties I will undertake
Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy."
— 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:
"[…] if those Persons who are curious in collecting either Minerals, or the Shells, Teeth, or other Parts of Animal Bodies that have been buried in the Earth, do but search the Hills after Rains, and the Sea-Shores after Storms, I dare undertake they will not lose their Labour."
— 1695, John Woodward, An Essay towards a Natural History of the Earth and Terrestrial Bodies, London: Richard Wilkin, Part 4, pp. 222-223:
"Quince. […] you must needs play Pyramus.
Bottom. Well, I will undertake it."
— c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company decided to ____ a difficult project to develop clean energy sources.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company has decided to ____ a major research project to develop several new and more efficient products today.