endure
gb/ɪndˈʊɹ/ us/ɪndˈʊɹ/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
state
1
Continue to exist over time
To keep existing or last for a long time.
Usage pattern:
[something] endures
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'tolerate', but here it means to last, not to put up with something unpleasant.
Synonyms
last (More common and direct in casual speech; slightly less formal than 'endure'.)
Antonyms
perish (Means to die or come to an end, the opposite of continuing to exist.)
Collocations
endure for centuries
|legacy endures
|tradition endures
|memory endures
Themes
time
|history
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- These ancient ruins have endured for thousands of years.
- Her influence on the art world endures to this day.
- The tradition has endured despite many challenges.
Learner examples
- The old building has endured for 200 years.
- His music will endure for many years.
- The tree endured through many winters.
Verb
B1
action
2
Suffer something difficult patiently
To keep going through pain or trouble without stopping.
Usage pattern:
endure [something unpleasant]
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'stand' instead of 'endure' in formal writing; 'stand' is more informal and less about long-term situations.
Synonyms
tolerate (Implies putting up with something, but not necessarily for a long time or with patience.)
Antonyms
avoid (Means to stay away from something unpleasant instead of experiencing it.)
Collocations
endure hardship
|endure pain
|endure suffering
|endure criticism
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She endured years of poverty before becoming successful.
- They endured the freezing temperatures during the expedition.
- He had to endure constant criticism from his boss.
Learner examples
- He endured the cold weather.
- She endured the long wait at the hospital.
- We must endure hard times together.
Grammar
Dictionary form
endure
IPA
GB/ɪndˈʊɹ/
US/ɪndˈʊɹ/
Syllables & stress
en - dure (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dure)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: endure
- 3rd Person Singular: endures
- Present Participle: enduring
- Past: endured
Word family
Forms
endures
verb
enduring
verb
endured
verb
Core family
endurance
noun B1
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unendurable
adjective
Advanced or less common
enduringly
adverb C1
Expressions
endure the test of time
1/ɪndˈʊɹ ðə tˈɛst əv tˈaɪm/
idiom
Remain successful for a long time
To keep being good or important for many years.
Examples
- Good friendships can endure the test of time.
- The novel has endured the test of time and is still popular today.
grin and endure it
1/ɡɹˈɪn ˈænd ɪndˈʊɹ ˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Accept difficulty without complaint
To deal with something bad without showing you are upset.
Examples
- Sometimes you just have to grin and endure it.
- He disliked the task, but he grinned and endured it.