insure

/ɪnˈʃʊər/

/ɪnˈʃɔ/

Other forms: insured; insuring; insures

To insure is to guarantee or protect the monetary value of something with, as you might imagine, insurance.

We insure, or protect, our homes and cars and other valuables against loss or damage from accidents by taking out insurance policies. To insure is to pay an insurance company regularly so that if something goes wrong, they’ll help cover the costs. Although it’s certainly reassuring to have insurance, the word insure always has a financial aspect.

Definitions of insure

1. verb

   protect by insurance
   synonyms: cover, underwrite

   cover

   to take an action to protect against future problems

   compensate, cover, overcompensate

   make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

   types:

   reinsure

   insure again by assuming all or a part of the liability of an insurance company already covering a risk

   indemnify

   secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for

   type of:

   guarantee, warrant

   stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of
2. verb

   take out insurance for
   types:

   reinsure

   insure again by transferring to another insurance company all or a part of a liability assumed

   reinsure

   provide additional insurance for

   coinsure

   take out coinsurance

   type of:

   protect, secure

   shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
3. verb

   make certain of
   synonyms: assure, ensure, guarantee, secure

   guarantee, vouch

   give surety or assume responsibility

   types:

   doom

   make certain of the failure or destruction of

   make

   assure the success of
4. verb

   be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
   synonyms: ascertain, assure, check, control, ensure, see, see to it

   check, check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off

   put a check mark on or near or next to

   check

   verify by consulting a source or authority

   ascertain, check, determine, find out, learn, see, watch

   find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

   control, verify

   check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard

   types:

   proof, proofread

   read for errors

   control

   verify by using a duplicate register for comparison

   double-check

   check once more to be absolutely sure

   cross-check

   check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example

   cinch

   make sure of

   card

   ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor

   spot-check

   pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality

   cover

   maintain a check on; especially by patrolling

   type of:

   verify

   confirm the truth of