Ensure meaning of the word

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There is considerable confusion about whether ensure and insure are distinct words, variants of the same word, or some combination of the two. They are in fact different words, but with sufficient overlap in meaning and form as to create uncertainty as to which should be used when. We define ensure as “to make sure, certain, or safe” and one sense of insure, “to make certain especially by taking necessary measures and precautions,” is quite similar. But insure has the additional meaning “to provide or obtain insurance on or for,” which is not shared by ensure. Some usage guides recommend using insure in financial contexts (as in “she insured her book collection for a million dollars”) and ensure in the general sense “to make certain” (as in “she ensured that the book collection was packed well”).

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for ensure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure.

ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee



the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand



careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person’s mind.



I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.



sent reinforcements to secure their position

Example Sentences

A combination of … personal courage, dashing leadership from the front, willingness to share the toughest rigours suffered by the ordinary soldiers, and a liberal dose of sheer good fortune ensured his stature as a great general.


Paul Cartledge, History Today, July 2004


Indeed, even though she’s been off the mainstream radar for more than a decade, her passionate love for and commitment to rock & roll have ensured that she’s managed to make a steady living.


Tom Sinclair, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2000


At 20, [Kobe] Bryant is already living the modern American dream, a $70 million man on the NBA’s glamour team in the nation’s starriest city. His acrobatic moves make him the envy of teenage boys and his good looks and megawatt smile a heartthrob for teenage girls, ensuring his status as one of the NBA’s premier pitchmen …


Allison Samuels et al., Newsweek, 31 May 1999



They took steps to ensure the safety of the passengers.



regulations that ensure the wholesomeness of our food

Recent Examples on the Web

To ensure those lessons stuck with Rodriguez in a productive way, McCann was there the following morning.


Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2023





Nonstick steel grill baskets are easy to clean and ensure that even the most delicate foods will be released.


Eva Bleyer, Good Housekeeping, 24 Mar. 2023





It’s designed to ensure that the seeds in the tube flow downward into the feeding ports rather than getting stuck inside, which keeps birds coming back for more.


Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023





Coordinators will review scripts with talent, directors, and writers, have conversations about how to sustain everyone’s comfort levels, and act as a liaison between actors and everyone else on set to ensure their safety.


Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2023





And, if a company truly is shifting towards a more cutthroat, competitive, or political culture, an honest public reckoning of this reality can ensure that employees, future or present, have that expectation.


Ariella Steinhorn, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2023





With secure loads, traffic crashes decrease and drivers ensure Alabama’s roadways stay clean and litter free.


Tinasha Lewis, al, 23 Mar. 2023





Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs, and to find out what dosage to take.


Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 23 Mar. 2023





Use blue painter’s tape to hold the stencil in place, Ladd says, and start in the middle of the wall, then work your way out on either side to ensure symmetry and even spacing.


Kristin Luna, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2023



See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘ensure.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ensurer, alteration of assurer — more at assure

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ensure was
in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near ensure

Cite this Entry

“Ensure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensure. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ensure

Last Updated:
28 Mar 2023
— Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

обеспечивать, гарантировать, застраховать, ручаться, подстраховаться

глагол

- обеспечивать; гарантировать

to ensure independence — обеспечить независимость
to ensure an income — гарантировать доход
we cannot ensure success — мы не можем ручаться за успех
in order to ensure prompt and effective action — для обеспечения быстрых и эффективных действий

- страховать, застраховать
- арх. заверять, уверять,
- спорт. страховать (во время исполнения упражнения)

Мои примеры

Словосочетания

regulations that ensure the wholesomeness of our food — нормативно-правовые акты, которые обеспечивают чистоту наших продуктов  
facilities to ensure the safety of cyclists — оборудование для обеспечения безопасности велосипедистов  
to ensure / provide security — обеспечивать безопасность  
ensure delivery — обеспечивать доставку  
ensure project success — обеспечить успех проекта  
ensure a profit — обеспечивать прибыль  
to ensure maximum reliability — обеспечивать максимальную надежность  
to ensure [to provide] security — обеспечивать безопасность  
ensure — гарантировать  
ensure clearance — обеспечивать запас высоты  
ensure safe clearance — обеспечивать безопасное расстояние  
ensure the clearance — обеспечивать запас высоты  

Примеры с переводом

Ensure that a printer is installed.

Убедитесь, что принтер установлен.

We will ensure equal opportunities for all.

Мы обеспечим равные возможности для всех.

The book ensured his success.

Эта книга принесла ему успех.

Please ensure (that) all lights are switched off.

Пожалуйста, проверьте, чтобы свет был везде выключен.

They took steps to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Они предприняли меры, чтобы обеспечить безопасность пассажиров.

We want to ensure equal treatment for everyone.

Мы хотим обеспечить равные условия для всех.

Take care to ensure that the ladder is steady before you climb it.

Прежде чем подняться по лестнице, убедитесь, что она устойчива.

ещё 18 примеров свернуть

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

There are checks to ensure consistency between interviewers.

Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке , напротив примера.

Формы слова

verb
I/you/we/they: ensure
he/she/it: ensures
ing ф. (present participle): ensuring
2-я ф. (past tense): ensured
3-я ф. (past participle): ensured

  • Top Definitions
  • Synonyms
  • Quiz
  • Related Content
  • Ensure Vs. Insure Vs. Assure
  • Examples
  • British

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

[ en-shoor, —shur ]

/ ɛnˈʃʊər, -ˈʃɜr /

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.


verb (used with object), en·sured, en·sur·ing.

to secure or guarantee: This letter will ensure you a hearing.

to make sure or certain: measures to ensure the success of an undertaking.

to make secure or safe, as from harm.

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Origin of ensure

1350–1400; Middle English ensuren<Anglo-French enseurer.See en-1, sure

OTHER WORDS FROM ensure

en·sur·er, nounun·en·sured, adjective

Words nearby ensure

ensue, ensued, ensues, ensuing, en suite, ensure, enswathe, ENT, entablature, entablement, entail

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

ENSURE VS. INSURE VS. ASSURE

What’s the difference between ensure, insure, and assure?

Ensure most commonly means to guarantee or make certain, as in Working hard ensures success. Insure typically means to guarantee against loss or harm or, more specifically, to cover with insurance. Assure usually means to tell someone something with confidence or to cause someone to know something with certainty—it often means the same thing as reassure.

It’s no wonder there’s confusion between the three words—all three are verbs that are based on the Latin root sēcūrus, meaning safe. Making things even more confusing is the fact that ensure and insure can be used interchangeably in most senses. Still, insure is much more commonly used in the context of insurance, like car insurance, health insurance, and homeowner’s insurance. These kinds of insurance insure you—they give you coverage that provides you with compensation in certain cases and situations.

Ensure is typically used in a more general way in the context of actions that are done to make sure that something happens or is the case, as in We need to ensure that the meeting starts on time.

Assure is always used in the context of communication, especially in situations in which someone is trying to make someone else feel better about something. It’s used in the phrase rest assured.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to remember the most common uses of each word:

ensure = make sure
insure = cover with insurance
assure = reassure

Here’s an example of ensure, insure, and assure used correctly in a sentence.

Example: She assured me that the company has ensured that every employee has the opportunity to be insured.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between ensure, insure, and assure.

Quiz yourself on ensure vs. insure vs. assure!

Should ensure, insure, or assure be used in the following sentence?

We need to take action to _____ that this never happens again.

Words related to ensure

assure, establish, insure, protect, provide, safeguard, secure, arrange, certify, cinch, clinch, confirm, effect, guard, okay, warrant, lock on, lock up, make sure, nail down

How to use ensure in a sentence

  • Apart from zeroing the wait time for customers, chatbot integration ensures 24 x 7 x 365 availability and allows you to broaden your database without any manual interference, once trained, and implemented successfully.

  • Because I’m the president of an NBA team, I had access to resources that ensured I could demand and fight for my justice.

  • In the case of this paid search digital transformation, a keyword audit was a critical piece to start with, ensuring the team was focused on the right keywords for the brand and its critical products and solutions.

  • These factors collectively play a big role in ensuring your business climbs local SERPs and maintains a strong online presence.

  • Revenge could take the form of a contract extension that would ensure he can finish his career as the Packers’ franchise quarterback.

  • Asserting our right to free speech is the only to ensure that 12 people did not die in vain.

  • Police, their representatives and supporters tell us, ensure our freedom of speech through our ability to protest.

  • If someone wants to ensure a direct and secure connection, no entity, whether a hotel or otherwise, should be able to block it.

  • One detainee was bent over for a rectal feeding that involved Ensure, the protein shake.

  • To ensure that all Afghan women see the gains of the last decade, we need to understand, support and enhance existing systems.

  • His first business was to provide a proper train to ensure the quick and easy mobilisation of the artillery.

  • The registrars will, in that event, ensure the moral growth of existing societies before multiplying them.

  • Principally to ensure military dominance, the conquerors made many main roads, mostly centering in London.

  • In the meantime the university had taken steps to ensure the suppression of heretical books.

  • Now, five minutes’ rest taken at the right time may ensure those persons’ safety as well as our own.

British Dictionary definitions for ensure


verb (tr)

(may take a clause as object) to make certain or sure; guaranteethis victory will ensure his happiness

to make safe or secure; protect

Derived forms of ensure

ensurer, noun

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English ensuren, from Anglo-Norman enseurer, from Old French seur (sure).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɪnˈʃʊə/, /ɪnˈʃɔː/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ɪnˈʃʊɹ/, /ɪnˈʃɝ/
  • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ), -ʊə(ɹ), -ɜː(ɹ)

Verb[edit]

ensure (third-person singular simple present ensures, present participle ensuring, simple past and past participle ensured)

  1. (transitive) To make a pledge to (someone); to promise, guarantee (someone of something); to assure. [14th–18th c.]
    • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xvj”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVI:

      Thenne he cryed hym mercy and sayd Faire knyght for goddes loue slee me not / and I shall ensure the neuer werre ageynst thy lady / but be alwey toward her / Thenne Bors lete hym be

      (please add an English translation of this quote)
  2. (intransitive) To make sure or certain of something (usually some future event or condition). [from 18th c.]

    I use an alarm clock to ensure that I get up on time.

    • 2013 August 10, Lexington, “Keeping the mighty honest”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:

      British journalists shun complete respectability, feeling a duty to be ready to savage the mighty, or rummage through their bins. Elsewhere in Europe, government contracts and subsidies ensure that press barons will only defy the mighty so far.

[edit]

  • insure
  • assure
  • inshore

Translations[edit]

make sure or certain

  • Afrikaans: please add this translation if you can
  • Aklanon: please add this translation if you can
  • Albanian: please add this translation if you can
  • Arabic: please add this translation if you can
  • Armenian: please add this translation if you can
  • Assamese: please add this translation if you can
  • Azerbaijani: təmin etmək
  • Bashkir: please add this translation if you can
  • Basque: please add this translation if you can
  • Bau Bidayuh: please add this translation if you can
  • Belarusian: упэўніцца pf (upeŭnicca), упэўнівацца impf (upeŭnivacca), пераканацца pf (pjerakanacca), пераконвацца impf (pjerakónvacca)
  • Bengali: please add this translation if you can
  • Bikol Central: please add this translation if you can
  • Breton: asuri
  • Bulgarian: осигурявам (bg) (osigurjavam)
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 確保确保 (zh) (quèbǎo)
  • Czech: zajistit (cs)
  • Dutch: verzekeren (nl)
  • Finnish: varmistaa (fi)
  • French: s’assurer (fr), garantir (fr), assurer (fr)
  • German: sicherstellen (de), gewährleisten (de)
  • Haitian Creole: asire
  • Ido: certigar (io)
  • Italian: garantire (it), assicurare (it), fare in modo che
  • Lü: ᦁᦱᦙᦃᦱᧄᧈ (ʼaamẋaam¹)
  • Malayalam: ഉറപ്പാക്കൂ (uṟappākkū)
  • Manx: shickyree
  • Maori: whakatūturu
  • Mongolian: please add this translation if you can
  • Polish: zapewnić (pl) pf, zapewniać (pl) impf, upewnić (pl) pf, upewniać impf, utwierdzić (pl) pf
  • Portuguese: garantir (pt), assegurar (pt)
  • Romanian: asigura (ro)
  • Russian: удостове́риться (ru) (udostovéritʹsja), убеди́ться (ru) (ubedítʹsja)
  • Spanish: asegurar (es) (pronominal), garantizar (es)
  • Swedish: se till (sv), säkerställa (sv)
  • Turkish: sağlamak (tr), garantiye almak, emin olmak (tr)
  • Welsh: sicrháu

Anagrams[edit]

  • enures, reunes, ursene, Nereus

ensure

to secure or guarantee; safeguard; make sure or certain: take measures to ensure success

Not to be confused with:

insure – warrant; protect against loss; to issue an insurance policy: Will this insure me in the event of a natural disaster?

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

en·sure

 (ĕn-sho͝or′)

tr.v. en·sured, en·sur·ing, en·sures

To make sure or certain; insure: Our precautions ensured our safety. See Usage Note at assure.


[Middle English ensuren, from Anglo-Norman enseurer : Old French en-, causative pref.; see en-1 + Old French seur, secure, variant of sur; see sure.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ensure

(ɛnˈʃʊə; -ˈʃɔː) or

insure

vb (tr)

1. (may take a clause as object) to make certain or sure; guarantee: this victory will ensure his happiness.

2. to make safe or secure; protect

enˈsurer n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

en•sure

(ɛnˈʃʊər, -ˈʃɜr)

v.t. -sured, -sur•ing.

1. to secure or guarantee: This letter will ensure you a hearing.

2. to make sure or certain.

3. to make secure or safe, as from harm.

[1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French enseurer. See en-1, sure]

en•sur′er, n.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

assure

ensureinsure

1. ‘assure’

If you assure someone that something is true or will happen, you tell them that it is definitely true or will definitely happen, often in order to make them less worried.

«I can assure you that neither of our two goalkeepers will be leaving,» O’Leary said.

The government assured the public that there would be no increase in taxes.

2. ‘ensure’ and ‘insure’

In British English, to ensure that something happens means to make certain that it happens.

His reputation was enough to ensure that he was always welcome.

In American English, this word is usually spelled insure.

I shall try to insure that your stay is a pleasant one.

3. ‘insure’

Insure has another meaning. In both British and American English, if you insure your property, you pay money to a company so that if the property is lost, stolen, or damaged, the company will pay you a sum of money. In this meaning, the spelling is always insure, not ‘ensure’.

Insure your baggage before you leave home.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

ensure

Past participle: ensured
Gerund: ensuring

Imperative
ensure
ensure
Present
I ensure
you ensure
he/she/it ensures
we ensure
you ensure
they ensure
Preterite
I ensured
you ensured
he/she/it ensured
we ensured
you ensured
they ensured
Present Continuous
I am ensuring
you are ensuring
he/she/it is ensuring
we are ensuring
you are ensuring
they are ensuring
Present Perfect
I have ensured
you have ensured
he/she/it has ensured
we have ensured
you have ensured
they have ensured
Past Continuous
I was ensuring
you were ensuring
he/she/it was ensuring
we were ensuring
you were ensuring
they were ensuring
Past Perfect
I had ensured
you had ensured
he/she/it had ensured
we had ensured
you had ensured
they had ensured
Future
I will ensure
you will ensure
he/she/it will ensure
we will ensure
you will ensure
they will ensure
Future Perfect
I will have ensured
you will have ensured
he/she/it will have ensured
we will have ensured
you will have ensured
they will have ensured
Future Continuous
I will be ensuring
you will be ensuring
he/she/it will be ensuring
we will be ensuring
you will be ensuring
they will be ensuring
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been ensuring
you have been ensuring
he/she/it has been ensuring
we have been ensuring
you have been ensuring
they have been ensuring
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been ensuring
you will have been ensuring
he/she/it will have been ensuring
we will have been ensuring
you will have been ensuring
they will have been ensuring
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been ensuring
you had been ensuring
he/she/it had been ensuring
we had been ensuring
you had been ensuring
they had been ensuring
Conditional
I would ensure
you would ensure
he/she/it would ensure
we would ensure
you would ensure
they would ensure
Past Conditional
I would have ensured
you would have ensured
he/she/it would have ensured
we would have ensured
you would have ensured
they would have ensured

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Verb 1. ensure - make certain ofensure — make certain of; «This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us»; «Preparation will guarantee success!»

guarantee, vouch — give surety or assume responsibility; «I vouch for the quality of my products»

doom — make certain of the failure or destruction of; «This decision will doom me to lose my position»

make — assure the success of; «A good review by this critic will make your play!»

2. ensure — be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something; «He verified that the valves were closed»; «See that the curtains are closed»; «control the quality of the product»

proofread, proof — read for errors; «I should proofread my manuscripts»

check off, tick off, mark off, tick, check, mark — put a check mark on or near or next to; «Please check each name on the list»; «tick off the items»; «mark off the units»

control — verify by using a duplicate register for comparison; «control an account»

check — verify by consulting a source or authority; «check the spelling of this word»; «check your facts»

double-check — check once more to be absolutely sure

cross-check — check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example

card — ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor; «I was carded when I tried to buy a beer!»

spot-check — pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality

verify — confirm the truth of; «Please verify that the doors are closed»; «verify a claim»

ascertain, find out, learn, watch, determine, see, check — find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort; «I want to see whether she speaks French»; «See whether it works»; «find out if he speaks Russian»; «Check whether the train leaves on time»

cover — maintain a check on; especially by patrolling; «The second officer covered the top floor»

verify, control — check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard; «Are you controlling for the temperature?»

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

ensure

insure

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

ensure

verb

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

zajistit

sikresørge for

varmistaa

osigurati

tryggja, ganga úr skugga um

保証する

보장하다

nodrošināt

zaistiť

zagotoviti

garantera

ทำให้แน่ใจว่า

bảo đảm

ensure

[ɪnˈʃʊəʳ] VTasegurar (that que)

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

ensure

[ɪnˈʃʊər] vt

[+ peace, stability, safety, security, survival] → assurer, garantir; [+ victory, success] → assurer
to ensure (that) … (= make it certain) [thing] → garantir que …
an attempt to ensure that there would not be a third attack → une tentative de garantir qu’il n’y aurait pas de troisième attaque

(= make sure that) [person] to ensure (that) … → s’assurer que …
You should ensure you do not miss the deadline → Assurez-vous de ne pas dépasser la date butoir.

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

ensure

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

ensure

(inˈʃuə) verb

to make sure. Ensure that your television set is switched off at night.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

ensure

يَتَأَكَّدُ zajistit sikre sicherstellen διασφαλίζω asegurar, asegurarse varmistaa s’assurer que osigurati assicurare 保証する 보장하다 ervoor zorgen sørge for zapewnić assegurar гарантировать garantera ทำให้แน่ใจว่า garantiye almak bảo đảm 保证

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

What does the word ensure mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word ensure is a verb in both American English and British English that means to make sure or to promise. Different suffixes like ing and ed can be added to make related forms of the word like the present participle and past participle.

Ensure is also a nutritional supplement and American brand of nutritional supplements and meal replacements manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. This is often used by coaches or needy families to make sure that people are getting their calories and nutritional needs.

Many different languages also contain words that mean ensure. You may notice that many of these words look similar to the word ensure. These are called cognates, which are words that look, sound, and mean similar things across different languages. These are often formed when two words or languages share a common origin or ancestral language, such as Latin or Greek. This list of translations for the word ensure is provided by Word Sense. 

  •  French: assurer‎, garantir‎, assurer‎
  •  Dutch: verzekeren‎
  •  Ido: certigar‎
  •  Russian: удостове́риться‎, убеди́ться‎
  •  Portuguese: garantir‎, assegurar‎
  •  Bulgarian: осигурявам‎
  •  Manx: shickyree‎
  •  Finnish: varmistaa‎
  •  Italian: garantire‎, assicurare‎
  •  Welsh: sicrháu‎
  •  Romanian: asigura‎
  •  German: sicherstellen‎, gewährleisten‎
  •  Spanish: asegurar‎ (pronominal), garantizar‎
  •  Maori: whakatūturu‎
  •  Haitian Creole: asire‎
  •  Swedish: se till‎, säkerställa‎
  •  Czech: zajistit‎
  •  Turkish: sağlamak‎, garantiye almak‎, emin olmak‎

What is the origin of the word ensure?

According to Etymonline, the word ensure has been used since the Middle English ensuren. This comes from the Anglo-Norman enseurer and the Old French en-, a causative pref. This is a variant of sur and the Old French seur. This word has been used since the 14th-18th c. 

What are synonyms and antonyms of the word ensure?

There are many different words that one can use in place of the word ensure. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are trying to grow your vocabulary as well as if you are trying to avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word ensure is provided by Power Thesaurus. 

  •  see that
  •  avert
  •  meet
  •  ensuring
  •  safeguards
  •  block
  •  defend
  •  ascertain
  •  prevent
  •  convince
  •  cover
  •  guaranty
  •  make no doubt
  •  insured
  •  secured
  •  affirm
  •  certify
  •  mortgaged
  •  inhibit
  •  prevent from
  •  provide
  •  warranty
  •  protect
  •  guarantee
  •  secure
  •  assurer
  •  reassure
  •  nail down
  •  check
  •  guard
  •  set at rest
  •  seal
  •  make sure that
  •  see
  •  seen
  •  dismiss all doubt
  •  remove all doubt
  •  guaranteed
  •  stop
  •  bond
  •  clinch
  •  keep
  •  seeing
  •  preclude
  •  insure
  •  answer for
  •  ascertaining
  •  see to it
  •  realize
  •  vouch
  •  security
  •  assured
  •  examine
  •  watch
  •  carry
  •  satisfy
  •  be certain
  •  assure
  •  guarantees
  •  view
  •  review
  •  make sure
  •  checking
  •  control
  •  make sure of
  •  promise
  •  lock on
  •  impede
  •  maintain
  •  support
  •  undertake
  •  be sure
  •  make safe
  •  make certain
  •  assuring
  •  find
  •  determine
  •  establish
  •  verify
  •  securing
  •  confirm
  •  deliver
  •  address
  •  assurance
  •  have
  •  effect
  •  tell
  •  help
  •  avoid
  •  safeguard
  •  find out exactly
  •  occur
  •  pledge
  •  warrant
  •  bail
  •  take care
  •  find out
  •  ascertained
  •  underwrite
  •  cinch

There are also many different words that mean the opposite of the word ensure. These opposite words are called antonyms. Antonyms are also useful to know if you are trying to improve your vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word ensure is also provided by Power Thesaurus. 

  •  deny
  •  run circles around
  •  deliberately cause a problem
  •  gamble
  •  put a brake on
  •  throw a wrench into the works
  •  give permission
  •  chilling
  •  butchers
  •  bar
  •  cause disruption
  •  throw a wrench
  •  bewilder
  •  block
  •  upset the apple cart
  •  halt in its tracks
  •  brake
  •  put pressure
  •  stand in the way of
  •  baffle
  •  get in our way
  •  throw a monkey wrench in the works
  •  blockade
  •  apply pressure
  •  bollix
  •  run rings around
  •  cause a problem
  •  throw monkey wrench in
  •  throw a monkey wrench in the works of
  •  throw a wrench in the work
  •  dangerous
  •  put a spanner in the works
  •  do something that prevents a plan from succeeding
  •  bilk
  •  throw a spanner in the works of
  •  prevent something happening smoothly
  •  predict
  •  throw a wrench in the works
  •  beat
  •  contradict
  •  damage
  •  do something that prevents an activity from succeeding
  •  throw a spanner in the works
  •  curse
  •  balk
  •  undermine our efforts
  •  debunk
  •  bork
  •  give the slip
  •  cause a difficulty

How can the word ensure be used in a sentence?

The word ensure can be used in many different ways in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to learn their definition, as are making flashcards or quizzes for yourself. Below are many examples of ensure to get you started with incorporating this word into your vocabulary. 

The police ensured the families with certainty that the future event would require high quality identification before the liquor would be distributed, as well as random samples being taken from throughout the event. They wanted to prevent the destruction that occurred and the safety of children with surety at the new event.

The quality of the product and the nice retirement nest egg they were investing in would ensure that they would have a place to be as they grew old toward the end of life. They placed a check mark next to “retirement house” on their bucket list. 

We must ensure much independence in marriage cases – sexism often prevents women from leaving. The safety of our society is dependent upon the safety of the women in it. 

The dog owners wanted to ensure their pet had everything he needed – a collar, tick medication, proof of vaccination, and more before adopting.

The scientific experiment at Princeton University needed to ensure everything was the same for all participants, including the alarm clock, the valves, the duplicate register, the parallel experiment, and the curtains. Otherwise it would spell doom for the experiment.

The growing number of political trials needed to ensure the mobility of officials to ease tension.

Overall, the word ensure means to make sure or promise. This word is of French origins.

Sources:

  1. ensure: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  2. Ensure synonyms – 882 Words and Phrases for Ensure | Power Thesaurus 
  3. Ensure antonyms – 115 Opposites of Ensure | Power Thesaurus 
  4. Ensure definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 
  5. ensure | Origin and meaning of ensure | Online Etymology Dictionary 

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Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do’s and don’ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

  • 1
    ensure

    ensure clearance

    обеспечивать запас высоты

    ensure maximum reliability

    обеспечивать максимальную надежность

    ensure safe clearance

    обеспечивать безопасное расстояние

    ensure safe movement

    обеспечивать безопасное движение

    ensure the adequate provisions

    обеспечивать соответствующие меры предосторожности

    English-Russian aviation dictionary > ensure

  • 2
    ensure

    1) обеспе́чивать, гаранти́ровать;

    2) руча́ться

    Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > ensure

  • 3
    ENSURE

    ENSURE, engineering surveillance report

    ————————

    ENSURE, expedited nonstandard urgent requirements for equipment

    English-Russian dictionary of planing, cross-planing and slotting machines > ENSURE

  • 4
    ensure

    Персональный Сократ > ensure

  • 5
    ensure

    Англо-русский синонимический словарь > ensure

  • 6
    ensure

    [ɪnˈʃuə]

    ensure гарантировать ensure обеспечивать, гарантировать; to ensure the independence гарантировать независимость ensure обеспечивать ensure ручаться ensure страховать ensure обеспечивать, гарантировать; to ensure the independence гарантировать независимость

    English-Russian short dictionary > ensure

  • 7
    ensure

    [ɪn’ʃʊə]

    v

    обеспечивать, гарантировать, ручаться

    This letter will ensure you a hearing. — Это письмо гарантирует, что тебя выслушают

    ensure the safety of the luggage


    — ensure the safety of goods
    — ensure prompt payment
    — ensure the success of the experiment

    English-Russian combinatory dictionary > ensure

  • 8
    ensure

    1. v обеспечивать; гарантировать

    2. v страховать, застраховать

    3. v арх. заверять, уверять,

    Синонимический ряд:

    protect (verb) assure; cinch; clinch; confirm; defend; guarantee; guard; insure; protect; safeguard; secure; warrant

    Антонимический ряд:

    endanger; jeopardize

    English-Russian base dictionary > ensure

  • 9
    ensure

    [ınʹʃʋə]

    1. обеспечивать; гарантировать

    in order to ensure prompt and effective action — для обеспечения быстрых и эффективных действий

    2. страховать, застраховать

    НБАРС > ensure

  • 10
    ensure

    [ɪn’ʃuə], [ɪn’ʃɔː], [en-]

    1) гарантировать, обеспечивать

    We will ensure equal opportunities for all. — Мы твёрдо намерены обеспечить равные возможности для всех.

    The book ensured his success. — Эта книга принесла ему успех.

    Syn:

    2) застраховаться, обезопасить себя

    Government made some move to ensure against Euro cheats. — Правительство предприняло некоторые меры по предотвращению актов мошенничества при переходе на евро.

    Syn:

    3) удостовериться, убедиться

    Please ensure (that) all lights are switched off. — Пожалуйста, проверьте, чтобы свет был везде выключен.

    Ensure that a printer is installed. — Убедитесь, что принтер установлен.

    Syn:

    , make certain, verify

    Англо-русский современный словарь > ensure

  • 11
    ensure

    v

    обеспечивать, гарантировать

    English-russian dctionary of diplomacy > ensure

  • 12
    ensure

    обеспечивать; гарантировать

    English-Russian dictionary on nuclear energy > ensure

  • 13
    ensure

    Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > ensure

  • 14
    ensure

    verb

    1) обеспечивать, гарантировать; to ensure the independence гарантировать независимость

    2) ручаться

    Syn:

    assure

    * * *

    (v) обеспечивать; обеспечить

    * * *

    обеспечивать, гарантировать

    * * *

    [en·sure || ɪn’ʃʊə]
    застраховать, страховаться; обеспечивать, гарантировать, ручаться; принимать меры предосторожности

    * * *

    гарантировать

    гарантируйте

    обеспечивать

    обеспечить

    ручаться

    страховать

    * * *

    1) гарантировать
    2) застраховать, страховать (against, from — от чего-л.)
    3) удостоверить (to, for smb. — кого-л.)

    Новый англо-русский словарь > ensure

  • 15
    ensure

    обеспечивать; гарантировать

    Patent terms dictionary > ensure

  • 16
    ensure

    обеспечивать ; страховать ; гарантировать ; ручаться ;

    Англо-Русский словарь финансовых терминов > ensure

  • 17
    ensure

    ɪnˈʃuəобеспечивать, страховать, гарантировать ручаться

    Англо-русский словарь экономических терминов > ensure

  • 18
    ensure

    Англо-русский технический словарь > ensure

  • 19
    ENSURE

    Универсальный англо-русский словарь > ENSURE

  • 20
    ensure

    Универсальный англо-русский словарь > ensure

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См. также в других словарях:

  • ensure — ensure, insure, assure, secure are comparable because they all carry the underlying meaning to make a person or thing sure. Ensure, insure, and assure all indicate a making of an outcome or event sure, certain, or inevitable as a consequence or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • ensure — [en shoor′, inshoor′] vt. ensured, ensuring [ME ensuren < Anglo Fr enseurer (for OFr asseurer: see ASSURE) < en (see EN 1) + OFr seur, SURE] 1. to make sure or certain; guarantee; secure [measures to ensure accuracy] 2 …   English World dictionary

  • Ensure — can mean: * A food and beverage brand owned by Abbott Laboratories. The most well known of these products is the Ensure Shake, intended to be served as a snack or meal replacement. * To make sure or certain of something: see * Or you may be… …   Wikipedia

  • ensure — ► VERB 1) make certain that (something) will occur or be so. 2) (ensure against) make sure that (a problem) does not occur. ORIGIN Old French enseurer, earlier form of assurer assure …   English terms dictionary

  • Ensure — En*sure , v. t. 1. To make sure. See {Insure}. [1913 Webster] 2. To betroth. [Obs.] Sir T. More. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ensure — I verb ascertain, assure, certify, check, clinch, confirm, corroborate, dismiss doubt, endorse, give security, give surety, guarantee, indemnify against loss, insure, keep from harm, keep safe, make certain, make sure, offer collateral, promise,… …   Law dictionary

  • ensure — late 14c., from Anglo Fr. enseurer, from en make (see EN (Cf. en ) (1)) + O.Fr. seur sure (see SURE (Cf. sure)); probably influenced by O.Fr. asseurer assure. Related: Ensured; ensures; ensuring …   Etymology dictionary

  • ensure — [v] guarantee; make secure arrange, assure, certify, cinch, clinch, confirm, effect, establish, guard, insure, lock on*, lock up*, make certain, make safe, make sure, nail down*, okay, protect, provide, put on ice*, safeguard, secure, set out,… …   New thesaurus

  • ensure — 01. Please [ensure] that you have paid your fees in full before classes begin. 02. You d better [ensure] that everything the salesman promises is written into the contract. 03. Please [ensure] that you answer all the questions on the test. 04.… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • ensure — v. (formal) 1) (A; usu. used without to) the present contract cannot ensure you a job 2) (d; tr.) to ensure against (to ensure workers against accidents) 3) (K) I cannot ensure his being on time 4) (L) no one can ensure that he ll come * * * [ɪn… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • ensure — (also insure esp. in AmE) verb ADVERB ▪ practically, virtually ▪ effectively ▪ (not) only, simply ▪ The system not only ensures maximum discounts, but als …   Collocations dictionary


These examples may contain rude words based on your search.


These examples may contain colloquial words based on your search.

Suggestions


Adults must ensure children’s safety.



Тем не менее взрослые должны обеспечить безопасность детей.


This means that we cannot ensure equal rights for everyone.



Это означает, что мы не можем обеспечить равные права для всех.


Presumably she believed his marriage would ensure his eventual return.



Предположительно, она полагала, его брак будет обеспечивать его возможное возвращение.


These organizations will ensure additional distribution of guidelines as required.



Эти организации будут, в зависимости от потребностей, обеспечивать дополнительное распространение руководящих принципов.


This will ensure you never miss this important step when defragmenting.



Это будет гарантировать, что вы никогда не пропустите этот важный шаг при дефрагментации.


Only liberty can ensure individual development and diversity.



Только свобода может гарантировать человеку его индивидуальное развитие и разнообразие.


This will ensure rapid agricultural development.



Это, естественно, само по себе обеспечит стремительное развитие сельского хозяйства.


Another crucial components polyolefins ensure strength and barrier properties with liquids.



Очередным ключевым компонентом являются полиолефины, которые обеспечивают прочность и барьерные свойства к жидкостям.


Special sensors ensure it won’t fall of stairs.



Датчики перепада высоты гарантируют, что аппарат не упадет с лестничной площадки.


Data are important because they ensure objectivity.



Данные очень важны, так как они гарантируют объективность.


We ensure our campaigns are based on hard facts and first-person accounts.



Мы гарантируем, что наши кампании основаны на достоверных фактах и учетных записях от первого лица.


This can further prevent conflict and ensure future stability.



Это может в дальнейшем предотвратить конфликт и гарантировать будущую стабильность».


This will ensure full use of complementarity and increased effectiveness.



Это обеспечит всестороннее использование таких факторов, как взаимодополняемость, и более высокую эффективность.


Again, alternatives exist which would ensure the availability of funds.



Вновь следует отметить, что имеются альтернативы, которые обеспечивали бы наличие средств.


Such an approach would ensure greater transparency and openness in decisions on peace-keeping.



Такой подход обеспечит большую, чем ранее, транспарентность и открытость решений, касающихся поддержания мира.


Several new constitutions ensure the protection of minorities.



В ряде новых конституций содержатся положения, обеспечивающие защиту меньшинств.


Direct interventions ensure effective outreach and implementation of policy decisions.



Такие программы обеспечивают эффективный охват бенефициаров и осуществление решений, принятых в контексте разработанной политики.


Only these can ensure a better and safer world for all.



Только на этой основе можно обеспечить созидание лучшего и более безопасного мира для всех.


We also ensure universal vaccination and family-planning services.



Мы также обеспечиваем общую вакцинацию всего населения и предоставляем услуги в области планирования семьи.


For these purposes agencies should ensure access to relevant training.



В этих целях учреждения должны обеспечить доступ к соответствующим структурам в области подготовки кадров.

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Suggestions that contain ensure

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Word index: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900

Expression index: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

Phrase index: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

Other forms: ensuring; ensured; ensures

When you ensure that something will happen, you guarantee it. All that homework will ensure that you have no time for fun this afternoon!

Ensure comes from the Old French en- «make» plus seur «sure,» and that is exactly what it means today — «to make sure or certain, to guarantee.» If you ensure success or someone’s safety, you are guaranteeing it. Make sure you can really come through with something before you ensure it!

Definitions of ensure

  1. “This nest egg will
    ensure a nice retirement for us”

    synonyms:

    assure, guarantee, insure, secure

    guarantee, vouch

    give surety or assume responsibility

  2. verb

    be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

    synonyms:

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

    check, check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off

    put a check mark on or near or next to

    check

    verify by consulting a source or authority

    ascertain, check, determine, find out, learn, see, watch

    find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

    control, verify

    check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘ensure’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback

Commonly confused words

assure / ensure / insure

Although these three often show up at the same party, giving hugs, they’re not the same, thank you very much. To assure is to tell someone everything’s ok, to ensure is to make certain, and to insure is to protect financially. Have it straight now? Are you sure?

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Reminding me for all the world of wooden-faced commissars delivering set speeches to «the masses,» who from time to time were expected to break out in «prolonged, stormy applause,» city officials tried to ensure from the start that no real dialogue would take place. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Civil discourse and outreach work in ensure these communities do no feel alienated and disenfranchised. ❋ Unknown (2010)

What it does ensure is that the oil companies make more money. ❋ Unknown (2008)

What we need the most of they ensure is always in the shortest supply! ❋ Unknown (2006)

All that will ensure is that the 401 will be as crowded as ever this afternoon between Toronto and Windsor. ❋ Unknown (2006)

What people like Rick Santorum want to ensure is that OUR kids REMAIN in unmarried homes. ❋ Unknown (2005)

What we have to ensure is that Canada is on the vanguard of this revolution and not one of its victims. ❋ Unknown (1996)

On the eve of the birth of NAFTA, the first thing to ensure is also a true Canadian internal market, an additional parallel between our two countries. ❋ Unknown (1993)

What we have to ensure is that Canadian federalism is flexible and supple enough to accommodate Quebec and the special characteristics of other regions also. ❋ Unknown (1982)

I knew I didn’t want my vamps to have to breathe because many places a vampire can ensure is light-proof would have very limited oxygen supplies. ❋ Unknown (2010)

If you buy snack foods in a bag, be sure to carefully check the label to ensure that the snacks aren’t pumped up with flavoring and unnecessary sweetening. ❋ Dr. Susan Albers (2011)

«Unlike the previous version, these new terms ensure that Apple’s developers have the choice of a variety of advertising solutions (including Google and AdMob’s) to earn money and fund their apps,» Omar Hamoui, Google’s vice president of product management, said in a statement. ❋ Unknown (2010)

To ensure, that is, that the Chinese people are not doubly victimized? ❋ Unknown (2008)

Adhesive labels ensure all glass can be successfully recycled, and Rehab boxes are made from recycled paper and Rehab products are not tested on animals. ❋ Thatsnews (2008)

I drank ensure after [recovering] from [anerexia] [nervosa] ❋ Sofie S (2005)

He ensured that I wouldn’t get any [leftovers] by getting home before [me and] [eating] all of them. ❋ Diggity Monkeez (2005)

«[Right], so we’re going [skydiving]. Got all the ensures [you need]?» ❋ Alex Quantashassle (2005)

I met this scrawny, jaded [faery] in Chicago that rented an old ballet studio; great layout with massive sq.footage, 12 ft. ceilings, multiple parlors, and [mirrored] hallways. How he paid for it as a interior house painter is beyond me. The point where I decided to remember the address was when I saw him sipping on an Ensure he tore from a [sixpack] and blandly talking about the last job — «3 months ago». I forgot to check back to see if it the place was available, but I know he’s dead. I just know it. Somewhere on or just off of [Halstead]. Go find it! ❋ Sadjitarius (2008)

Guy 1: Well I’ve got this [12-pack] for myself, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough
Guy 2: Grab some [ensurance beer], [better safe than sorry]. ❋ Skootles (2010)

dude: [yo] have [you seen] Ensuring Your Place In Hell?
[guy]: no ❋ Thiswillruinmyfuture89 (2022)

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