endow

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "endow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of providing something or someone with power or resources. For example: "The charity was able to endow the school with new computers for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it is to survive at all, its genetic endowment coupled with what it can learn along the way may very well endow it with the expectation that it go out and seek needed resources in the environment.

SEP

Then they endow more chairs to make more David Brats to make more angry conservatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

These pit Mr Erdogan, who wants to endow his presidency with executive powers, against those within the party who are rattled by the president's increasingly erratic behaviour and want to keep his constitutional authority in check.

The Economist

Napoleon himself would later owe her a debt of gratitude: she sold her diamonds to endow the Ecole Militaire, which educated poor but noble boys like him.Critics of the marquise (as she continued to call herself) derided her for abusing her influence with the king so as to corrupt national policy a common complaint against partners of powerful men.

The Economist

Vastly increased access to information and the ability to communicate easily with like-minded people round the globe would endow its users with asymmetric power, diluting the might of the state and acting as a force for democracy.Those expectations have been confounded.

The Economist

It might at last endow Pakistan with a government that has the legitimacy to take on the extremist threat.

The Economist

WHEN the poet William Wordsworth declared that "the Child is father of the Man", he meant that the gifts of childhood endow adults with some of their finest qualities.

The Economist

Similarly ignored was a letter smuggled from a jailed opposition activist, Dr Wenceslao Mansogo, in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, imploring UNESCO not to endow the prize but instead to demand that Mr Nguema release political prisoners.

The Economist

The deal that the president-elect struck with Kim Jong Pil, the leader of the United Liberal Democrats, was to promise him the prime minister's job and endow the office with more clout than its current largely ceremonial role.These changes have not been made solely for reasons of political expediency.

The Economist

Although plenty of new Greek shipping billionaires would like to endow non-profit private universities, most professors and students used to the state-controlled system strongly oppose change.

The Economist

And he may endow the more amenable Palestinians who run the West Bank, the bigger part of a fledgling Palestinian state, with more economic and security powers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "endow" when you want to express that someone or something is naturally equipped with a particular quality or resource. For instance, "She was endowed with a beautiful voice."

Common error

Avoid using "endow" in a passive voice construction when the subject receiving the endowment is unclear. Ensure the recipient of the endowment is clearly stated for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "endow" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of providing or furnishing someone or something with a particular quality, ability, or resource, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

51%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "endow" is a versatile transitive verb, frequently found in formal contexts like news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct for describing the act of providing someone or something with a quality, ability, or resource. While alternatives like "bestow upon" or "equip with" exist, "endow" carries a specific nuance of natural gifting or inherent provision. To avoid common errors, ensure the recipient of the endowment is clearly stated. With its frequent usage in authoritative sources such as The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica, mastering the proper use of "endow" will enhance your writing precision and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestow upon

Focuses on the act of conferring something as a gift or honor.

grant to

Emphasizes formal authorization or permission to receive something.

equip with

Highlights providing necessary tools or resources for a specific purpose.

gift with

Emphasizes giving something as a present or act of generosity.

invest in

Suggests providing resources with the expectation of future benefit or return.

furnish with

Indicates providing something necessary or useful.

clothe with

Implies adorning or covering something with a particular quality or characteristic.

supply with

Focuses on providing a necessary resource or item.

bequeath to

Signifies passing something down as an inheritance.

provide with

A general term for supplying something needed or desired.

FAQs

How is "endow" typically used in a sentence?

"Endow" is commonly used to describe the act of providing someone or something with a quality, ability, or resource. For example, "The university was "endowed" with a generous donation."

What are some alternatives to using "endow"?

Alternatives to "endow" include "bestow upon", "grant to", or "equip with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "endowed of" something?

No, the correct preposition to use with "endow" is "with", not "of". The proper phrasing is "endowed with".

What's the difference between "endow" and "empower"?

"Endow" generally means to provide someone or something with a quality or resource, while "empower" means to give someone authority or power to do something. They are related but not interchangeable.