noun · 9 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.
/ɪnˈʃɔː.ɹəns/pour–poor merger
/ɪnˈʃʊə.ɹəns/without the pour–poor merger
General-American:/ɪnˈʃʊɹ.əns/
General-American:/ɪnˈʃɜɹ.əns/
California:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
ConnecticutRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Southern-US:/ˈɪn.ʃə.ɹɪns/
Texas:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
India:/ˈɪn.(t)ʃuː.ˈrens/
India:/ˈɪn.(t)ʃoː.ˈrens/
CMU ARPABET:IH2 N SH UH1 R AH0 N S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A means of indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
The car was totalled, but fortunately I had insurance.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The business of providing insurance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
After five years in banking, I switched to insurance.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Any attempt to forestall an unfavorable event.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, uncountable, usually
Examples
The sky was clear, but I took my umbrella for insurance.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A bet made after the deal, which pays off if the dealer has blackjack.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Topics: blackjack, games
Examples
I only take insurance if the count is right.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
An insurance policy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A company providing insurance policies; an insurer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
written contract or certificate of insurance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
you should have read the small print on your policy
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: policy, insurance policy
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: contract
Narrower terms: floater, floating policy
8
noun
Meaning 8
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
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: security, protection
Narrower terms: assurance, automobile insurance, car insurance, business interruption insurance, coinsurance, fire insurance, group insurance, hazard insurance, health insurance, liability insurance, life insurance, life assurance, malpractice insurance, reinsurance, self-insurance, term insurance
9
noun
Meaning 9
protection against future loss
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: indemnity
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: protection, shelter
History
Etymology
From the older form ensurance, see also assurance. By surface analysis, insure + -ance.
Across languages
Translations
154 source translations are retained for this English entry.