Endeavor
noun / verb endeavors (3rd person singular), endeavored (past simple), endeavored (past participle), endeavoring (present participle)
Definition
1. Try to do something.
2. An attempt or effort to do something.
2. An attempt or effort to do something.
Context Alive
After years of dreaming about opening her own bakery, Sofia finally decided to endeavor to make it happen, even though everyone said it was too risky. She saved every penny, took business courses at night, and spent weekends perfecting her recipes. Her determination proved that with enough effort, even the biggest dreams can become reality.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Try to Do Something (Verb) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about making a serious effort to achieve something. Imagine a team of scientists who endeavor to find a cure for a rare disease, working tirelessly in their laboratory year after year. This is endeavoring as determined effort. You might endeavor to improve your grades, or a company might endeavor to reduce its environmental impact. Or picture a writer who endeavors to finish their novel despite a busy schedule. The word carries a formal, serious tone of effort.
Vivid ExampleThroughout her career, the diplomat endeavored to build bridges between countries that had been enemies for decades, believing that peace was possible even when others had given up hope.
2 An Attempt or Effort to Do Something (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about a serious activity or project requiring effort. Think about space exploration being described as humanity’s greatest endeavor, representing our curiosity and courage to explore the unknown. This is endeavor as a significant effort. Scientific research is often called a collaborative endeavor, or building a business might be your lifelong endeavor. Or picture an artist whose creative endeavor takes years to complete but changes the art world forever. The word suggests importance and dedication.
Vivid ExampleBuilding the community garden became a shared endeavor for the entire neighborhood, with families contributing their time, skills, and plants to transform an empty lot into a beautiful green space.
Examples from the Street
“We will endeavour to resolve your complaint within 48 hours.”
We will try our best to fix your issue within two days (formal customer service language)
“Starting a business is a risky endeavour.”
Launching your own company is a challenging undertaking
“I wish you well in all your future endeavours.”
I hope you succeed in everything you try to do from now on (formal farewell)
Common Patterns
endeavour to (verb) → try hard to do something; make a serious effort
will/shall endeavour to → formal promise to try (common in business)
always endeavour to → consistently try to do something
endeavour to ensure/maintain/provide → common business collocations
a (adjective) endeavour → describing a type of undertaking
human endeavour → activities and achievements of humanity
creative/artistic/scientific endeavour → work in these fields
business/commercial endeavour → a commercial project or venture
a worthwhile/noble endeavour → a valuable or admirable undertaking
future endeavours → things someone will try to do in the future
all/any endeavour(s) → everything someone attempts
in this/that endeavour → in this effort or undertaking
succeed in one’s endeavours → achieve what you set out to do
field of endeavour → area of work or activity
Collocations
4 collocationscreative endeavor
an artistic or imaginative project
human endeavor
any effort or activity by people
endeavor to improve
make a serious effort to get better
worthy endeavor
a project that deserves effort and respect
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
We will endeavour to respond to all emails within 24 hours
We will make every effort to reply to all messages within a day.
2
The company endeavours to maintain the highest standards of customer service
The business strives to uphold the best levels of support for its clients.
3
Writing a novel is a challenging endeavour that requires patience and discipline
Producing a full-length book is a demanding undertaking that needs persistence and self-control.
4
Space exploration represents one of humanity’s greatest endeavours
Investigating what lies beyond our planet stands as one of mankind’s most impressive achievements.
5
I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavours
I hope everything goes well for you in whatever you decide to pursue from now on.
6
The restoration of the old cathedral was a worthwhile endeavour that took ten years
Bringing the ancient church building back to its original condition was a valuable project lasting a decade.
7
Music, art, and literature are all forms of creative endeavour
Composing, painting, and writing are all types of imaginative work.
8
We will always endeavour to treat our employees fairly
We will consistently strive to deal with our staff in a just manner.
9
Her first business endeavour failed, but she learned valuable lessons from it
Her initial commercial venture didn’t succeed, but she gained important knowledge from the experience.
10
Many people supported her in this endeavour by donating money and time
Numerous individuals backed her in this undertaking by contributing funds and volunteering.
Learner Examples
★
Learning a second language is a worthwhile endeavour that opens doors to new cultures and opportunities
Acquiring another tongue is a valuable pursuit that provides access to unfamiliar ways of life and fresh possibilities.
★
Good teachers endeavour to make their lessons engaging and relevant to students’ lives
Effective instructors strive to make their classes interesting and connected to what learners experience daily.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsattempt
trying to do something
effort
a serious try
undertaking
a task or project
venture
a risky or ambitious project
Antonymsneglect
not making any effort
idleness
not doing anything