Words / B2

in-DEER/ɪnˈdɪə/

To endear is to make someone liked: endear someone to; endear yourself to. Charm and win over are close; endearing is the adjective. What endeared the candidate still needs a quoted line. Mix-up: endear vs endure; endear vs end; do not write endear for a person who is only famous, with no liking shown in the source.

Meaning

To make someone liked (endear someone to).

Examples

• “What endeared the candidate still needs a quoted line, not a charm slogan.”
• “The gaffe did not endear him to the board, which is the fail-to-win-liking sense — still name the gaffe.”

Good to know

endear someone to; endear yourself to; endearing. Close: charm / win over. Trap: endure / mere fame. English, citizenship, and PSHE. Make liked — quote the act that won (or lost) liking.

Near in meaning

charm, win over, make likeable

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