Words / B2

in-DOW/ɪnˈdaʊ/

To endow is to give a lasting gift of money to an institution, or to provide a quality: endow a scholarship; endowed with talent. Donate (already in the dictionary) is the everyday giving verb. Fund is close. A former pupil endowed a bursary. Do not use endow for handing over a fiver.

Meaning

To give a large gift of money, often to an institution; also to provide with a quality (be endowed with).

Examples

• “A former pupil endowed a scholarship for care leavers.”
• “The role is endowed with few real powers, which is the “given a quality” sense.”

Good to know

endow a chair / scholarship; endowed with. Everyday: donate. Close: fund. Universities and wills. Formal register. Not a one-off collection tin.

Near in meaning

fund

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