insure

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
  2. verb make certain of
  3. verb protect by insurance

Etymology

First attested in c. 1440, as a variant of Middle English ensuren (from Anglo-Norman enseurer, itself from 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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

see, check, see to it, ensure, control, ascertain, assure

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