endeavor
/ɪnˈdɛv.ɚ/A serious, sustained effort to do something difficult or important. It suggests purpose and commitment, not just a single attempt.
- Space exploration remains one of humanity's greatest endeavors.
- Her lifelong endeavor was to make quality education accessible to all.
- Starting a business is a challenging but rewarding endeavor.
To try hard and with purpose to achieve something. This form is formal and often appears in written English, business communication, and academic writing.
- The team endeavored to complete the report before the deadline.
- We will endeavor to respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.
- She endeavored to stay calm during the difficult interview.
Adinary Nuance
Endeavor sits in a neighborhood with try, attempt, effort, and strive — but it is the most formal of the group. Where try is casual ("I'll try to help") and attempt describes a single action ("she attempted the climb"), endeavor implies something sustained, purposeful, and often significant in scale. Effort refers to the energy you spend; endeavor refers to the whole goal-directed mission. Strive emphasizes struggling against obstacles, while endeavor is more neutral — it doesn't assume difficulty, just seriousness of intent. In IELTS essays or academic writing, replacing "try to" with "endeavor to" is a reliable way to raise your register without sounding unnatural.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Nỗ lực
- Spanish
- Esfuerzo
- Chinese
- 努力
- Japanese
- 努力
- Korean
- 노력
Etymology
From Middle English "endeveren," derived from the Old French phrase "en devoir" meaning "to make it one's duty." The word entered English around the 15th century and has retained its sense of deliberate, duty-bound effort.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'endeavor' formal or informal?
- 'Endeavor' is formal. It fits well in academic essays, professional emails, and IELTS writing. In everyday spoken English, most people just say 'try' or 'effort' instead.
- What is the difference between 'endeavor' and 'effort'?
- 'Effort' refers to the energy or work you put in ('it took a lot of effort'). 'Endeavor' refers to the whole goal-directed activity or attempt itself ('a creative endeavor'). You can put effort INTO an endeavor.
- Is 'endeavor' spelled differently in British English?
- Yes. British English spells it 'endeavour' (with a 'u'). Both are correct — 'endeavor' is the American spelling and 'endeavour' is used in the UK, Australia, and India's formal writing.
- Can I use 'endeavor' as both a noun and a verb?
- Yes. As a noun: 'This is a noble endeavor.' As a verb: 'We will endeavor to improve.' Both uses are common in formal and academic English.