Library / English Dictionary

INSURE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

Example:

control the quality of the product

Synonyms:

ascertain; assure; check; control; ensure; insure; see; see to it

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "insure" is one way to...):

verify (confirm the truth of)

Verb group:

control; verify (check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard)

ascertain; check; determine; find out; learn; see; watch (find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort)

check (verify by consulting a source or authority)

check; check off; mark; mark off; tick; tick off (put a check mark on or near or next to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "insure"):

proof; proofread (read for errors)

control (verify by using a duplicate register for comparison)

double-check (check once more to be absolutely sure)

cross-check (check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example)

cinch (make sure of)

card (ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor)

spot-check (pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality)

cover (maintain a check on; especially by patrolling)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make certain of

Example:

Preparation will guarantee success!

Synonyms:

assure; ensure; guarantee; insure; secure

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Verb group:

guarantee; vouch (give surety or assume responsibility)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "insure"):

doom (make certain of the failure or destruction of)

make (assure the success of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Protect by insurance

Example:

The insurance won't cover this

Synonyms:

cover; insure; underwrite

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "insure" is one way to...):

guarantee; warrant (stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of)

Verb group:

cover (to take an action to protect against future problems)

compensate; cover; overcompensate (make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "insure"):

reinsure (insure again by assuming all or a part of the liability of an insurance company already covering a risk)

indemnify (secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

insurance (promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company)

insurer (a financial institution that sells insurance)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Take out insurance for

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "insure" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "insure"):

reinsure (insure again by transferring to another insurance company all or a part of a liability assumed)

reinsure (provide additional insurance for)

coinsure (take out coinsurance)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

insurance (protection against future loss)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Even if this lady should never recover consciousness, we can still reconstruct the events of last night and insure that justice be done.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The rules of the service insured that every face should be clean-shaven, every head powdered, and every neck covered by the little queue of natural hair tied with a black silk ribbon.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I thank you, ma'am, sincerely thank you, said Marianne, with warmth: your invitation has insured my gratitude for ever, and it would give me such happiness, yes, almost the greatest happiness I am capable of, to be able to accept it.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Meanwhile, since it is too late to prevent this tragedy, I am very anxious that I should use the knowledge which I possess in order to insure that justice be done.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)