undertake

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˌʌndɚˈteɪk/ UK /ˌʌndəˈteɪk/ See IPA manual

Freq #17270

Meanings

1

verb
To begin or take on a task, often a difficult or important one.

The team undertook a major review of the company's finances.
2

verb
To formally promise or commit to doing something.

He undertook to exercise more in the future.
3

verb
To enter into a contract or agreement to do something.

The firm undertook to deliver the goods by Friday.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to begin or take on a task,... set abouttackletake on

3 verb · to enter into a contract or... contract

Word family

Forms undertakenundertakesundertook

Derived forms undertaker undertaking

Etymology

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

undertaken Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# undertake

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˌʌndɚˈteɪk/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌʌndəˈteɪk/
**Frequency rank:** 17270

## 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
- Actions & Processes

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