endeavour

UK: /ɪnˈdɛvə^r/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

endeavour, endeavor / ɪnˈdɛvə/ verb

1. to try (to do something)

noun

1. an effort to do or attain something

Etymology: 14th Century: endeveren, from en-¹ + -deveren from dever duty, from Old French deveir; see devoirs

enˈdeavourer, enˈdeavorer noun

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•deav•or /ɛnˈdɛvɚ/   v. [~ + to + verb]

1. to exert oneself to do or effect something;
   make an effort;
   strive;
   try:
   He always endeavored to be on time.

n. 

2. a strong effort;
   attempt:
   [uncountable] a new field of endeavor.
   [countable] The boy made an honest endeavor to do the right thing.

Also, esp. Brit., enˈdeav•our.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•deav•or  (en dev′ər), v.i. 

1. to exert oneself to do or effect something;
   make an effort;
   strive:
   We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

v.t. 

2. to attempt;
   try:
   He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.
3. [Archaic.] to attempt to achieve or gain.

n. 

4. a strenuous effort* attempt.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] en•deav′our. 

• 1350–1400; Middle English endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en-¹, devoir

en•deav′or•er;
 [esp. Brit.,] en•deav′our•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. See try. 
• 4. See effort.