Standard Lemma guide

endear

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ɪnˈdɪə(ɹ)/
  • UK: /ɛnˈdɪə(ɹ)/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /ɪnˈdɪɚ/
  • US: /ɛnˈdɪɚ/
  • rhymes with -ɪə(ɹ)
  • CMU ARPABET: EH0 N D IY1 R Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make (something) more precious or valuable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make (something) more expensive; to increase the cost of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To stress (something) as important; to exaggerate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To make (someone) dear or precious.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • By giving candy to the children the man tried to endear himself to them.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

make attractive or lovable

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This behavior endeared her to me

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: please, delight

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English en- English dear English endear From en- + dear.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: získat oblibu — to cause to become liked
  • Czech: získat přízeň — to cause to become liked
  • Finnish: miellyttää — to cause to become liked
  • Finnish: saada pitämään — to cause to become liked