endeavor
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en·deav·or
(ĕn-dĕv′ər)n.
1. A conscientious or concerted effort toward an end; an earnest attempt.
2. Purposeful or industrious activity; enterprise.
v. en·deav·ored, en·deav·or·ing, en·deav·ors
v.tr.
To attempt (fulfillment of a responsibility or an obligation, for example) by employment or expenditure of effort: endeavored to improve the quality of life in the inner city.
v.intr.
To work with a set or specified goal or purpose.
[Middle English endevour, from endeveren, to make an effort, from (putten) in dever, (to put oneself) in duty, make it one's duty : in, in; see in1 + dever, duty (from Old French deveir, devoir, duty; see devoir).]
en·deav′or·er n.
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.
en•deav•or
(ɛnˈdɛv ər)v.i.
1. to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive.
v.t. 2. to attempt earnestly; try: to endeavor to succeed.
3. Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.
n. 4. a strenuous effort; attempt.
Also, esp. Brit.,en•deav′our.[1350–1400; Middle English, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en-1, devoir]
en•deav′or•er, n.
syn: See effort.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
endeavor
Past participle: endeavored
Gerund: endeavoring
| Imperative |
|---|
| endeavor |
| endeavor |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | endeavor - a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness); "he had doubts about the whole enterprise" fraudulent scheme, illegitimate enterprise, racket - an illegal enterprise (such as extortion or fraud or drug peddling or prostitution) carried on for profit forlorn hope - a hopeless or desperate enterprise project, task, undertaking, labor - any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted; "he prepared for great undertakings" business activity, commercial activity - activity undertaken as part of a commercial enterprise |
| 2. |  endeavor - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try"batting - (baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base best - the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" worst - the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of; "it was the worst he had ever done on a test" activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" bid, play - an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention" fling, go, offer, whirl, crack, pass - a usually brief attempt; "he took a crack at it"; "I gave it a whirl" essay - a tentative attempt foray - an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence); "scientists' forays into politics" contribution, share, part - the part played by a person in bringing about a result; "I am proud of my contribution in advancing the project"; "they all did their share of the work" liberation - the attempt to achieve equal rights or status; "she worked for women's liberation" mug's game - a futile or unprofitable endeavor power play, squeeze play, squeeze - an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power; "she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away" seeking - an attempt to acquire or gain something stab, shot - informal words for any attempt or effort; "he gave it his best shot"; "he took a stab at forecasting" shot - an attempt to score in a game struggle, battle - an energetic attempt to achieve something; "getting through the crowd was a real struggle"; "he fought a battle for recognition" takeover attempt - an attempt to take control of a corporation | |
| Verb | 1. | endeavor - attempt by employing effort; "we endeavor to make our customers happy" struggle - to exert strenuous effort against opposition; "he struggled to get free from the rope" attempt, essay, try, assay, seek - make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" be at pains, take pains - try very hard to do something buck - to strive with determination; "John is bucking for a promotion" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
endeavor
nounverbTo make an attempt to do or make:
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
endeavour
(inˈdevə) (American) endeavor (inˈdevə(r)) verb to attempt; to try (to do something). He endeavoured to attract the waiter's attention.
noun an attempt. He succeeded in his endeavour to climb the Everest.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
endeavor
n. empeño, esfuerzo.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012