verb

underwrite

un-der-RYTE/ˌʌndərˈraɪt/

To assume financial responsibility for supporting an undertaking.

The provider underwrites the housing undertaking by guaranteeing financial support.

An adult underwriter places a protective transparent shield over a small house model while offering a plain funding folder, symbolic financial guarantee against loss, no contract writing.

Etymology

Writing beneath an agreement meant signing it. Signing a marine insurance policy committed the signer to cover specified losses, so underwrite came to mean accepting financial risk or providing a money guarantee.

In context

The Only Nolan9:33

less willing or able to underwrite the kinds of huge long-term investments

A Brief History: TWA — The Airline That Made Flying Glamorous

More examples

A foundation underwrote the museum's new exhibition.
The insurer underwrites policies for small businesses.
The festival cannot proceed without someone underwriting its costs.

Forms

underwrite · underwrites · underwrote · underwritten · underwriting

underwriter noun — A person or company assuming financial risk.

Similar words

finance: Means supplying money, without necessarily guaranteeing support or assuming losses.
sponsor: Often involves public recognition in exchange for financial support.
insure: Specifically means providing financial protection against covered risks.