undertakes
|un/der/takes|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌndərˈteɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌndə(r)ˈteɪk/
(undertake)
take on responsibility
Etymology
'undertake' originates from Middle English, specifically the compound of the prefix 'under-' and the verb 'take', where 'under-' meant 'beneath/among' and 'take' meant 'to seize or take'.
'undertake' developed from Middle English forms such as 'undertaken' and reflects the combination of Old English 'under' with the verb 'take' (influenced by Old Norse 'taka'); over time this became the modern English 'undertake'.
Initially it carried the literal sense of 'take up' or 'seize' when combined with 'under-'; over time it evolved to mean 'to assume responsibility' or 'to promise/agree to do something'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'undertake' — to take on responsibility for a task or duty.
She undertakes the training of all new staff.
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Verb 2
(commitment) To promise or guarantee to do something; to agree to be responsible for doing it.
The contractor undertakes to complete the work by the end of the month.
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Last updated: 2026/01/03 20:16