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to endow

to endow

34 4.9
To give someone a particular quality or ability
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈdaʊ/
  • Formal
translation icon : dotar de
  • Finally, we must acknowledge that all teachers are not equally endowed with knowledge, training, dedication, or talent.
  • endow people with
  • endowed with power
  • endowed with meaning

You endow that cartoon with your insights.

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Examples

  • The goal was a robust administrative state, accountable to citizens endowed with expanded powers of direct democratic action.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Yet this lack of cell specialization endows the sponges with great powers of regeneration.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The experience that we have, we endow with meaning.

  • You endow that cartoon with your insights.

  • To improve his chances of acceptance, his mother decided to endow him with wisdom.

    Academic text (1999)
  • I am endowed with the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to follow through.

  • In magic traditions inherited from antiquity, words and images share an essential role, endowing objects with supernatural force.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The vessel's translucent material, vibrantly painted details, and diminutive size endow it with a jewel-like quality.

    Academic text (2008)
  • All these intriguing properties of TMEM16-CaCC endow it with the capability to play diverse roles in shaping membrane excitability.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The university was proud to endow a scholarship for deserving students.

Synonyms

to grant
vsto endow
  • Formal
565 3.3

To officially give permission, rights, or money to someone

focuses specifically on supplying a quality, ability, or asset rather than permissions
to lend
vsto endow
99 3.8

Give something a certain quality or feeling

describes providing a lasting quality or ability rather than a brief effect
to invest
vsto endow
  • Formal
85 6.2

To give someone official power or a job, often in a ceremony

is a general act of providing qualities without formal transfer or ceremony
to gift
vsto endow
69 6.8

To give someone a natural talent or quality

covers giving qualities or abilities more generally, not only innate talents
to bestow
vsto endow
  • Formal
22 5.3

Give a quality such as charm to someone or something

is used more broadly to mean supplying qualities or assets without honour
to indue
vsto endow
  • Archaic
9.9

To give someone a quality or ability

is the modern neutral verb for providing qualities or assets
to endue
vsto endow
  • Archaic
9.9

Give a person or thing a special quality like an ability

is the everyday verb for giving qualities, abilities, or assets

Antonyms

198 3.2

To take something important away from someone or stop them having it

to strip
  • Formal
48 5.1

Take away someone's possessions, rights, or honours

How Strong

to endow
  • Formal
34 4.9
to impart
33 4.3
to provide
1.5
to give
1.0

Surface Forms

endow infinitive
endowed past
endowed past participle
endowing present participle
endows third person singular

Etymology

Endow used for qualities comes from the same idea of a dowry — a lasting 'gift'. So to be 'endowed' with talent or creativity is to be given that special quality.