endure
Endure (verb) means to keep going through something difficult; to survive hardship. Example: “The village had to endure months of drought.”
How to use endure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put up with something hard, or to last a long time.
Word forms
endured past tense, endures singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village had to _____ months of drought.
Etymology
From Old French endurer, from Latin indūrāre ("to make hard"), the same root as "endurance" and "dure."
Related words
Rhymes for endure
See all rhymes for endure →Frequently asked questions
What does “endure” mean?
The word “endure” means to keep going through something difficult; to survive hardship. In plain terms, to put up with something hard, or to last a long time.
How do you pronounce “endure”?
“Endure” is pronounced ihn-JOOR (/ɪnˈd(j)ʊɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “endure” in a sentence?
Here is “endure” used in a sentence: “The village had to endure months of drought.”
What part of speech is “endure”?
“Endure” is a verb.
Where does the word “endure” come from?
The word “endure” comes from Latin. From Old French endurer, from Latin indūrāre ("to make hard"), the same root as "endurance" and "dure.".
Is “endure” a common word?
“Endure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “endure” have?
“Endure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to keep going through something difficult; to survive hardship.
What is the difference between endure and survive?
Endure emphasizes continuing through difficulty or hardship, often with an implication of ongoing effort or suffering. Survive focuses on the outcome of staying alive or continuing to exist after a dangerous or difficult event, without necessarily implying prolonged struggle.
What is the difference between endure and tolerate?
Endure suggests actively persisting through something difficult over a period of time, such as enduring a harsh winter. Tolerate suggests simply putting up with something without necessarily struggling against it, such as tolerating a minor inconvenience.
Can endure describe something other than a person going through hardship?
Yes, endure can also mean to last or continue over time, as in "the tradition has endured for generations." This sense applies to things, customs, or ideas rather than people facing hardship.