## Meanings
1. To begin or take on a task, often a difficult or important one.
2. To formally promise or commit to doing something.
3. To enter into a contract or agreement to do something.

## Examples
- The team undertook a major review of the company's finances.
- He undertook to exercise more in the future.
- The firm undertook to deliver the goods by Friday.

## Derived Forms
- undertaker
- undertaking

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: undertaken

## Etymology
From Middle English undertaken; equivalent to under- + take (after undernim).

## AI Etymology
Undertake is from Middle English undertaken; equivalent to under- + take (after undernim). The historical line also includes Middle English undertaken. The prefix under- supplies the lower, beneath, or insufficient element. In present-day use, it can mean to begin or take on a task, often a difficult or important one, or to formally promise or commit to doing something. Derived formations include undertaker, undertaking.

## Topics
- Verbs of Movement
- Actions & Processes

markdown

undertake

Meanings

Thesaurus

Etymology

Topics

External links

Keyboard Shortcuts

General

Send feedback