underwriter

UK: /ˈʌndə^rraɪtə^r/ US: (un′dər rī′tər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

un•der•writ•er  (un′dər rī′tər), n. 

1. Business a person or company that underwrites policies of insurance or carries on insurance as a business.
2. Business a person or company that underwrites shares or bonds.
3. Business a person or organization that finances something;
   backer:
   the underwriters of the ballet company.

• underwrite + -er¹ 1610–20

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

underwriter / ˈʌndəˌraɪtə/ noun

1. a person or enterprise that underwrites public issues of shares, bonds, etc
2. a person or enterprise that underwrites insurance policies
3. an employee or agent of an insurance company who assesses risks and determines the premiums payable

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

un•der•write /ˌʌndɚˈraɪt, ˈʌndɚˌraɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -wrote, -writ•ten, -writ•ing. 

1. to give or contribute a sum of money to guarantee the success of (an undertaking):
   to underwrite the building of a new library.
2. [Insurance.]
   • Business to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming responsible in case of certain losses.
   • Business to insure, as for a certain sum.

un•der•writ•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

un•der•write  (un′dər rīt′, un′dər rīt′), v., -wrote, -writ•ten, -writ•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to write under or at the foot of, esp. under other written matter.
2. to sign one's name, as to a document.
3. to show agreement with or to support by or as if by signing one's name to, as a statement or decision.
4. to bind oneself to contribute a sum of money to (an undertaking):
   Wealthy music lovers underwrote the experimental concerts.
5. Business to guarantee the sale of (a security issue to be offered to the public for subscription).
6. [Insurance.]
   • Business to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming liable in case of certain losses specified in the policy.
   • Business to insure.
   • Business to assume liability to the extent of (a specified sum) by way of insurance.
   • Business to select or rate (risks) for insurance.

v.i. 

7. to underwrite something.
8. Business to carry on the business of an underwriter.

• late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere to write underneath, sign, subscribe 1400–50