underwrite

verb

un·​der·​write ˈən-dər-ˌrīt 

ˈən-də-,

ˌən-dər-ˈrīt,

ˌən-də-

underwrote ˈən-dər-ˌrōt 

ˈən-də-,

ˌən-dər-ˈrōt,

ˌən-də-

; underwritten ˈən-dər-ˌri-tᵊn 

ˈən-də-,

ˌən-dər-ˈri-tᵊn,

ˌən-də-

; underwriting ˈən-dər-ˌrī-tiŋ 

ˈən-də-,

ˌən-dər-ˈrī-,

ˌən-də-

transitive verb

1

: to write under or at the end of something else

2

: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) for the purpose of thereby becoming answerable for a designated loss or damage on consideration of receiving a premium percent : insure on life or property

also : to assume liability for (a sum or risk) as an insurer

3

: to subscribe to : agree to

4

a

: to agree to purchase (something, such as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a view to public distribution

b

: to guarantee financial support of

underwrite a project

intransitive verb

: to work as an underwriter

Synonyms

• bankroll
• capitalize
• endow
• finance
• fund
• stake
• subsidize

Examples of underwrite in a Sentence

a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition

Recent Examples on the Web

Girardi was found guilty in August of four counts of wire fraud for embezzling millions of dollars from his law firm’s clients, then using the funds to underwrite a lavish lifestyle for himself and his now-estranged wife, reality TV star Erika Girardi. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Apollo has underwritten $18 billion worth of such deals over the past year for the likes of Air France-KLM, Intel, and BP. —Robert Olsen, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Ladder is underwritten by Amica, Allianz Fidelity Security and S.USA Life Insurance Company. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2024

The fund also would underwrite training programs for child care workers, who have a high turnover rate due to low salaries, and help turn at-home child care providers into licensed businesses able to accept subsidies, increasing options for parents. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

underwrite

verb

un·​der·​write ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt 

ˌən-də(r)-ˈrīt

underwrote -ˌrōt 

-ˈrōt

; underwritten -ˌrit-ᵊn 

-ˈrit-ᵊn

; underwriting -ˌrīt-iŋ 

-ˈrīt-

1

: to write under or at the end of something else

2

: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) and thereby agree to insure against specified loss or damage

3

: to agree to

4

a

: to agree to purchase (as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a plan of distribution to the public

b

: to guarantee financial support of

underwrite the project

underwriter

ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt-ər

noun

Legal Definition

underwrite

transitive verb

un·​der·​write ˈən-dər-ˌrīt, ˌən-dər-ˈrīt 

underwrote -ˌrōt, -ˈrōt  ; underwritten -ˌrit-ᵊn, -ˈrit-ᵊn  ; underwriting

1

a

: to assume liability for (a risk) as an insurer

the insurer underwrites individuals, not the group, in franchise health insurance

b

: to issue or set the terms of (an insurance policy)

2

: to agree to purchase (all or part of a security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with the purpose or plan to resell by means of a public offering

was a security brokerage firm which as part of its business underwrote speculative new issues

—UFITEC, S.A. v. Carter, 135 Cal. Rptr. 607 (1977)

3

a

: to put up funds for or guarantee financial support of

b

: to assess the risk of (as a loan)