Endow: meaning, definitions and examples

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endow

[ɪnˈdaʊ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

financial

To provide with a quality, a capability, or a gift; to furnish with a talent or quality; to bestow on; to grant.

Synonyms

bestow, gift, grant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
endow	Often used when talking about providing a person, institution, or entity with a quality, ability, or a source of permanent income. Frequently seen in academic, charitable, and foundational settings. The millionaire decided to endow the university with a sizable sum to support its research programs. Nature has endowed her with great musical talent.
gift	Used broadly in everyday contexts to describe the act of giving something as a gift, regardless of the formality. It is a versatile word suitable for most occasions. She gifted him a watch for his birthday. They often gift each other small tokens of appreciation.
grant	Typically used in official or institutional contexts, such as giving permission, rights, or funds for a specific purpose. It often involves a formal process. The government will grant you a permit to build on that land. The foundation granted a scholarship to the deserving student.
bestow	Commonly used in formal or ceremonial contexts where an honor, right, or gift is being given. This word carries a sense of dignity and respect. The queen will bestow knighthood on several distinguished citizens. The committee decided to bestow the award upon him for his lifetime achievements.

Examples of usage

She was endowed with great artistic talent.
The university was endowed with a large donation.
He endowed his children with a good education.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

To settle an estate on; to provide with a legal right or a legal privilege.

Synonyms

bequeath, grant, settle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
endow	Typically used when providing a gift of money or property to an institution, especially when setting up a fund or foundation for a specific purpose. The university was endowed with a new scholarship fund by a generous alumnus. The library was endowed with a rare collection of books.
bequeath	Often used in legal and formal contexts, referring to passing down personal property or assets to someone through a will after death. He bequeathed his entire estate to his children. She decided to bequeath her jewelry to her granddaughter.
settle	Used in legal and financial contexts meaning to resolve or come to an agreement about something, especially payments or debts. They agreed to settle the lawsuit out of court. He settled his debt with the bank.
grant	Usually used when giving or providing something officially or formally, such as permissions, rights, or financial aid, often by an authority or organization. The government granted him asylum. She was granted a research scholarship for her studies.

Examples of usage

He endowed his wife with a substantial portion of his estate.
The trust was endowed with the power to make decisions on behalf of the beneficiaries.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

financial

A contribution or donation, especially one given for charitable purposes.

Synonyms

contribution, donation, gift.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
endow	Typically used when someone provides a large sum of money or valuable assets to an institution like a school, hospital or charity, often creating a fund that supports the organization over a long period. The billionaire decided to endow the university with a new research center. She plans to endow the hospital with enough money to build a new wing.
contribution	Used to describe a wide range of acts of giving, including money, time, effort, or knowledge, generally aimed at supporting a cause or project. It can be formal or informal. His contributions to the team were crucial for their success. We appreciate your contribution to the community event.
donation	Refers to giving money or goods to a cause, organization, or individual, generally without expecting anything in return. Often used in the context of charities and non-profit organizations. She made a generous donation to the local food bank. The museum relies on donations to maintain its exhibits.
gift	A general term for something given to someone willingly without payment. It can be something tangible like an object, or symbolic such as an act of kindness. Often used in personal and informal contexts. He gave her a beautiful necklace as a birthday gift. Receiving a thoughtful gift always brings joy.

Examples of usage

The endowments from the alumni helped fund scholarships for students.
She made an endowment to the museum to support its educational programs.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'endow' comes from the Old French 'endouer,' which means to provide with a dowry.
In Middle English, it was used to mean giving a gift, especially in a financial context, to support someone or something.
The prefix 'en-' suggests being put into or provided with, while 'dow' relates to a gift or donation.

Philanthropy

Many universities have endowments that help fund scholarships, research, and other programs, giving financial stability to future generations.
Wealthy individuals often endow charities, hospitals, and cultural institutions, ensuring they can provide services or art for years to come.
Endowments are vital for nonprofit organizations, allowing them to continue their work even during tough economic times.

Legal Aspects

In legal terms, an endowment can also refer to the act of providing a trust or fund that is meant to support a specific purpose over time.
Endowed funds must be managed prudently to ensure their longevity and the ability to meet their intended goals.
Certain laws oversee how endowed funds are utilized, particularly ensuring that the original donor's intentions are honored.

Cultural Significance

In various cultures, endowing individuals or institutions is seen as a way to achieve immortality through the enduring impact of one’s contributions.
The concept of endowment is often linked to religious practices, where individuals may endow places of worship to enhance their community's spiritual life.
Endowment is celebrated in many literary works, often representing legacy and the importance of giving back to society.

Education

Educational institutions often depend on endowed funds for scholarships, research opportunities, and faculty positions.
Endowing programs within schools can help secure quality education for many students, regardless of their financial background.
Foundations and philanthropists sometimes create endowed chairs or professorships, which help attract top talent to educational institutions.

Translations

Translations of the word "endow" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dotar

conceder
conferir

🇮🇳 प्रदान करना

🇩🇪 ausstatten

begaben
verleihen

🇮🇩 menganugerahkan

memberikan
melengkapi

🇺🇦 наділяти

обдаровувати
забезпечувати

🇵🇱 wyposażyć

obdarzyć
nadać

🇯🇵 授ける (sazukeru)

与える (ataeru)
装備する (soubi suru)

🇫🇷 doter

conférer
accorder

🇪🇸 dotar

otorgar
conferir

🇹🇷 donatmak

bağışlamak
vermek

🇰🇷 부여하다 (buyeohada)

주다 (juda)
제공하다 (jeonghada)

🇸🇦 يمنح

يزود
يكرم

🇨🇿 obdařit

vybavit
nadělit

🇸🇰 obdariť

vybaviť
nadeliť

🇨🇳 赋予 (fùyǔ)

捐赠 (juānzèng)
提供 (tígōng)

🇸🇮 obdariti

opremiti
dodeliti

🇮🇸 útbúa

veita
gefa

🇰🇿 жабдықтау

сыйлау
қамтамасыз ету

🇬🇪 მოწოდება (motsodeba)

აღჭურვილი (agchurvili)
არგუნება (arguneba)

🇦🇿 təchiz etmək

bağışlamaq
təmin etmək

🇲🇽 dotar

otorgar
conferir

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,312, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
19309 disorganization
19310 twitched
19311 perforce
19312 endow
19313 plundering
19314 straggling
19315 cesium
...