endeavor
gb/ɪndˈɛvɚ/ us/ɪndˈɛvɚ/
C1
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
action
1
serious effort to do something
A serious and strong effort to reach a goal, usually when it is not easy.
Usage pattern:
an endeavor to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners often use "endeavor" in casual speech where "effort" or "try" sounds more natural. Also, they may say *"an endeavor of do something"* instead of the correct pattern "an endeavor to do something."
Synonyms
effort (More common and neutral; does not carry the same formal tone as "endeavor.")
|
attempt (Stresses the act of trying; less formal and may sound less serious than "endeavor.")
|
undertaking (Emphasizes the project itself rather than the effort put into it, but often overlaps in formal contexts.)
Antonyms
idleness (Highlights the absence of any serious effort or activity.)
|
inactivity (Focuses on not doing anything, the opposite of making a determined effort.)
Collocations
in an endeavor to
|make every endeavor
|a noble endeavor
|a futile endeavor
|our best endeavors
Themes
work
|goals
|motivation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Despite their best endeavor, the team failed to meet the deadline.
- Her latest book is the result of a five-year research endeavor.
- The charity's fundraising endeavor raised far more money than expected.
- This ambitious endeavor required the cooperation of several international organizations.
- He thanked the staff for their tireless endeavor on the project.
Learner examples
- Our safety endeavor saved many lives.
- The school started an endeavor to help poor children.
- Please support our endeavor to clean the river.
- This difficult endeavor will take two years.
- Her endeavor to learn English impressed her teacher.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
to try very hard to do
To try very hard to do something, especially something difficult.
Usage pattern:
to endeavor to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"endeavor doing"* (gerund) instead of the more natural formal pattern "endeavor to do". They may also use "endeavor" in everyday speech where "try" is more appropriate and natural.
Synonyms
strive (Suggests long, continuous effort and struggle; slightly more common in modern use than "endeavor" as a verb.)
|
try (Much more common and neutral; does not carry the same formal or serious tone as "endeavor.")
|
attempt (Similar meaning but less formal and can sound less intense than "endeavor.")
Antonyms
give up (Means to stop trying, which is the opposite of continuing to endeavor.)
|
neglect (Means to fail to give effort or attention to something.)
Collocations
endeavor to ensure
|endeavor to provide
|endeavor to improve
|endeavor to achieve
|endeavor to comply
Themes
work
|goals
|motivation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We will endeavor to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.
- The company is endeavoring to reduce its environmental impact.
- She endeavored to remain calm during the crisis.
- They are endeavoring to find a solution that satisfies all parties.
- He endeavored to explain the problem as clearly as possible.
Learner examples
- We will endeavor to help you.
- The teacher endeavored to make the lesson easy.
- She endeavored to finish the report on time.
- They endeavored to keep the children safe.
- He endeavored to learn from his mistakes.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
serious activity or pursuit
A serious activity or project that a person works hard on for some time, often in work, science, or art.
Usage pattern:
a [field] endeavor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with a single short effort and use it where "project" or "business" would be clearer. Also, they may say *"endeavor of science"* instead of the natural collocation "scientific endeavor."
Synonyms
pursuit (Emphasizes a long-term activity or interest; can be slightly less formal in some contexts.)
|
enterprise (Often used for business or large, complex activities; can also highlight risk-taking and initiative.)
|
venture (Frequently used for business or risky projects; can sound more commercial than "endeavor.")
Antonyms
pastime (Suggests a light, enjoyable activity, not a serious or demanding endeavor.)
|
hobby (Usually refers to a casual personal interest, lacking the weight and seriousness of an "endeavor.")
Collocations
business endeavor
|scientific endeavor
|creative endeavor
|joint endeavor
|professional endeavors
Themes
work
|business
|arts
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Running a small bakery is her latest business endeavor.
- Scientific endeavor has transformed the way we live and communicate.
- The film documents one of humanity's greatest engineering endeavors.
- His creative endeavors include writing poetry and directing short films.
- This joint endeavor between universities and industry aims to develop new medical treatments.
Learner examples
- His new business endeavor is a small café.
- Art and music are important human endeavors.
- Their joint endeavor helped many sick people.
- Her scientific endeavor changed how doctors treat the disease.
- He spends his free time on creative endeavors like painting and design.
Grammar
Dictionary form
endeavor
IPA
GB/ɪndˈɛvɚ/
US/ɪndˈɛvɚ/
Syllables & stress
en - deavor (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (deavor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: endeavor
- Plural: endeavors
Verb
- Base: endeavor
- 3rd Person Singular: endeavors
- Present Participle: endeavoring
- Past: endeavored
Word family
Forms
endeavors
noun
endeavoring
verb
endeavored
verb
Related words
endeavour
noun B2
Expressions
creative endeavor
1/kɹiˈeɪtɪv ɪndˈɛvɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
serious artistic or inventive work
Serious work where a person makes art or creates new ideas, such as painting, music, writing, or design.
Examples
- Writing a novel is a challenging creative endeavor.
- The grant supports young artists in their creative endeavors.
- Any creative endeavor requires time, patience, and practice.
human endeavor
1/hjˈumən ɪndˈɛvɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
all serious human activities
All the serious work and activities that people do to reach goals, often used when talking generally about what humans do and create.
Examples
- Space exploration is one of the greatest achievements in human endeavor.
- Art has always been a central part of human endeavor.
- The museum celebrates human endeavor in science and technology.
in an endeavor to
1/ˈɪn ən ɪndˈɛvɚ tə/
fixed phrase
formal
in an effort to do something
Used before a verb to mean that someone is trying hard to do something.
Examples
- The city launched a new program in an endeavor to reduce traffic accidents.
- In an endeavor to improve customer service, the company hired more staff.
- They met every week in an endeavor to reach an agreement.
scientific endeavor
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk ɪndˈɛvɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
serious scientific activity
Serious and organized work in science to discover new facts or develop new ideas.
Examples
- Collaboration is essential to modern scientific endeavor.
- Funding for scientific endeavor is often limited but very important.
- The project became a landmark in scientific endeavor during the 20th century.