indemnify
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
To compensate someone for harm, loss, or damage they have suffered.
To protect or secure someone against legal responsibility for their actions, often through a formal contract or agreement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a formal or legally binding agreement. The core action is to make someone whole again after a loss, either by paying money or promising to cover future liability. Used predominantly in legal, financial, and business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or legal application. The verb and its noun form 'indemnity' are standard in the legal systems of both regions.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of formal, legal obligation in both varieties. No notable difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British legal and insurance documents due to historical common law usage, but this difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SVO] The company will indemnify the customer.[SVOA] The policy indemnifies the driver against third-party claims.[SVO (for O)] The landlord indemnified the tenant for the repair costs.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “indemnify and hold harmless (legal formula)”
- “a contract of indemnity”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Clauses in contracts where one party agrees to cover the losses or legal liabilities of another.
Academic
Used in law and economics papers discussing liability, insurance, and risk allocation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might be encountered when signing a formal rental agreement or insurance policy.
Technical
Precise legal term in contracts and insurance law. The cornerstone of indemnity insurance products.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The supplier shall indemnify the purchaser for any defective goods.
- The treaty was designed to indemnify the allies for their wartime expenditures.
American English
- The contract indemnifies the director against any lawsuits.
- The company will indemnify you for your moving expenses.
adjective
British English
- The indemnifying party must have sufficient funds.
- They sent an indemnity letter.
American English
- We need an indemnifying agreement signed.
- The indemnity clause is standard.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop indemnified her for the broken vase. (Simplified, context provided)
- Travel insurance should indemnify you if you have to cancel your holiday.
- The contract clearly states that the contractor will indemnify the client for any accidental damage.
- The holding company agreed to indemnify its subsidiaries against any liabilities arising from the merger, up to a specified limit.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'INDEMNIFY' as 'IN DEMAND to make you FI(ne) again' – when you are in demand to fix a financial loss.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINANCIAL LOSS IS A WOUND / LEGAL PROTECTION IS A SHIELD. Indemnifying is healing the wound (by payment) or providing a shield (against liability).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'страховать' (to insure). Indemnify is a specific *result* or *action* of insurance/compensation. A closer conceptual translation is 'возмещать ущерб' or 'освобождать от ответственности'.
- The Russian legal term 'индемнитет' is a direct borrowing but is less common than 'возмещение убытков'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'insure' when 'indemnify' is the specific contractual action (e.g., 'The contract insures us' is vague; 'The contract indemnifies us against losses' is precise).
- Incorrect preposition: 'indemnify from' (less common) vs. standard 'indemnify against' (for future protection) or 'indemnify for' (for past loss).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'indemnify' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Insure' is the general act of obtaining financial protection. 'Indemnify' is the specific act of providing compensation or protection against loss or liability, often as a result of an insurance policy or a contract clause.
'Compensate' is a broader term for making amends. 'Indemnify' is a formal, often legal, type of compensation that specifically covers a loss, damage, or potential legal liability.
This is a standard legal phrase. 'Indemnify' means to pay for the other party's losses. 'Hold harmless' means to protect them from being held legally responsible. Together, they provide comprehensive protection.
It is highly formal. In everyday situations, words like 'repay', 'cover the cost', or 'reimburse' are much more common and natural.