Undertake: meaning, definitions and examples

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undertake

[ ˌʌndərˈteɪk ]

^{Context #1}

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}

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}

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

assumir
comprometer-se

🇮🇳 उद्यम करना

संकल्प लेना
कर्म करना

🇩🇪 unternehmen

übernehmen
in Angriff nehmen

🇮🇩 menjalankan

mengambil
berkomitmen

🇺🇦 здійснювати

брати на себе
зобов'язуватися

🇵🇱 podjąć

przejąć
zobowiązać się

🇯🇵 引き受ける

取り組む
遂行する

🇫🇷 entreprendre

assumer
s'engager

🇪🇸 emprender

asumir
comprometerse

🇹🇷 üstlenmek

girişmek
taahhüt etmek

🇰🇷 착수하다

떠맡다
수행하다

🇸🇦 يتعهد

يتولى
يلتزم

🇨🇿 podniknout

převzít
zavázat se

🇸🇰 podniknúť

prevziať
zaviazať sa

🇨🇳 承担

进行
负责

🇸🇮 podvzeti

prevzeti
zavezati se

🇮🇸 taka að sér

framkvæma
skuldbinda sig

🇰🇿 қабылдау

жүзеге асыру
міндеттеме алу

🇬🇪 მოიმოქმედოს

აიღოს
ვალდებულება

🇦🇿 götürmək

həyata keçirmək
öhdəsinə götürmək

🇲🇽 emprender

asumir
comprometerse

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.