insure
B2Neutral to formal, common in business and legal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to arrange for compensation against a possible loss, damage, illness, or death, typically by making regular payments to a company.
To provide or obtain insurance; to make certain that something happens or is the case; to secure or protect something against a possible eventuality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in financial and risk-management contexts. Can overlap with 'ensure', especially in American English. The meaning of 'making certain' is more common in US usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'insure' is strictly for financial/risk insurance. 'Ensure' is used for making certain. In American English, 'insure' can be used for both meanings, though 'ensure' is also correct for the 'make certain' sense.
Connotations
UK: Strongly financial/legal. US: Can be financial or general certainty.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to broader semantic range.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
insure something (for/against something)insure that... (chiefly US)insure yourself/somebody (against something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “insure against all risks”
- “better safe than sorry (conceptual)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Contractual agreement to transfer risk for a premium.
Academic
Discussed in economics, law, and risk management papers.
Everyday
Arranging car, home, or travel insurance.
Technical
Actuarial science, policy underwriting.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You must insure your jewellery for the full value.
- The company insures against flood damage.
American English
- I will insure that the package arrives on time.
- They insured their home for half a million dollars.
adjective
British English
- The insured amount was paid promptly.
- An insured event triggered the claim.
American English
- The insured party filed a complaint.
- Check your insured status online.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need to insure my new phone.
- Is your car insured?
- We insured our holiday against cancellation.
- The painting is insured for £10,000.
- The policy insures you against theft and accidental damage.
- He failed to insure that the data was backed up.
- The treaty provisions were designed to insure against future conflicts.
- Derivatives can be used to insure portfolios against market volatility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
INsure = IN a contract for SUREty against loss.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SHIELD / CERTAINTY IS A CONTRACT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'ensure' (гарантировать). В британском английском различие строгое.
- В русском часто оба значения покрываются 'страховать', но для 'гарантировать' лучше 'ensure' или 'assure'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'insure' to mean 'make certain' in British English (use 'ensure').
- Misspelling as 'ensurance' (correct: insurance).
Practice
Quiz
In British English, which sentence is CORRECT?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, 'insure' relates to financial protection, 'ensure' means to make certain. In American English, 'insure' can sometimes be used for both.
Yes, e.g., 'The company insures against all risks.'
It is neutral but most common in formal/business contexts relating to contracts and risk.
Insurance. The person/entity covered is the 'insured'.