Undertake: meaning, definitions and examples

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undertake

 

[ ˌʌndərˈteɪk ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

business

To commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility); take on.

Synonyms

assume, embark on, shoulder

Examples of usage

  • He undertook a new project at work.
  • She undertook the task of organizing the event.
  • They undertook the challenge of starting their own business.
Context #2 | Verb

legal

To promise or guarantee.

Synonyms

guarantee, pledge, promise

Examples of usage

  • He undertook to complete the project on time.
  • She undertook to pay back the loan.
Context #3 | Noun

obsolete

A promise or pledge.

Synonyms

commitment, pledge, promise

Examples of usage

  • Their undertaking to finish the work was commendable.

Translations

Translations of the word "undertake" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empreender

🇮🇳 उद्यम करना

🇩🇪 unternehmen

🇮🇩 menjalankan

🇺🇦 здійснювати

🇵🇱 podjąć

🇯🇵 引き受ける

🇫🇷 entreprendre

🇪🇸 emprender

🇹🇷 üstlenmek

🇰🇷 착수하다

🇸🇦 يتعهد

🇨🇿 podniknout

🇸🇰 podniknúť

🇨🇳 承担

🇸🇮 podvzeti

🇮🇸 taka að sér

🇰🇿 қабылдау

🇬🇪 მოიმოქმედოს

🇦🇿 götürmək

🇲🇽 emprender

Word origin

The word 'undertake' originated from the combination of 'under' and 'take', with 'under' meaning 'below' or 'beneath' and 'take' meaning 'to grasp'. The concept of 'undertake' evolved from the idea of taking on a responsibility or task that is below or beneath oneself. Over time, the word came to signify committing to a task or project. The usage of 'undertake' has been traced back to Middle English and has been a common term in business and legal contexts.

See also: intake, overtake, partake, retake, retaking, take, takeaway, taken, takeoff, takeout, takeover, taker, taking, untaken, uptake.