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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Endeavour: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：strive to achieve (endeavour)

endeavour 🔊

/ɪnˈdev.ər/

n./vi.

to try very hard to do something, using a lot of effort and determination.

Endeavour illustrated by a determined student studying late at night, showing serious effort.

strive to achieve 🔊

➕

/straɪv tə əˈtʃiːv/

n./vi.

To make a serious and sustained effort to accomplish a goal.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'en deveir', meaning 'to make it one's duty' (en- 'in' + dever 'duty').

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'End' + 'devour'. You 'devour' a difficult task until the 'end', showing great effort.

📖 Example

She will endeavour to learn a new language before her trip abroad. 🔊 She will strive to learn a new language before her trip abroad.

🔗 Collocations

endeavour to do – to make a determined effort to do something

make every endeavour – to try as hard as possible

fruitless endeavour – an effort that does not succeed

🔄 Synonyms

strive (v.) – to make great efforts to achieve something.

attempt (v.) – to try to do something, especially something difficult.

struggle (v.) – to try very hard to do something that is difficult.

🚫 Antonyms

neglect (v.) – to fail to give proper attention or care to.

abandon (v.) – to give up on an attempt or activity completely.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Middle English 'endeveren', borrowed from Old French. Historically, it implied a sense of duty and commitment. In modern British English, it retains a formal and determined tone, often found in official documents, motivational speeches, and contexts describing significant projects or personal challenges.

Meaning 2：ambitious project (endeavour)

endeavour 🔊

/ɪnˈdev.ər/

n./vi.

a serious effort or attempt to do something, especially something new or difficult.

Endeavour as a major project shown by a team collaborating on a whiteboard in an office.

ambitious project 🔊

➕

/æmˈbɪʃəs ˈprɒdʒekt/

n./vi.

A substantial and challenging undertaking that requires serious effort.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Organizing the community festival was a huge endeavour that took months of planning. 🔊 Organizing the community festival was a huge ambitious project that took months of planning.

🔗 Collocations

joint endeavour – a project or effort undertaken by multiple parties together

scientific endeavour – a research project or exploration in science

commercial endeavour – a business-related project or venture

🔄 Synonyms

undertaking (n.) – a task or project, especially a large or important one.

venture (n.) – a risky or daring journey or project.

enterprise (n.) – a project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort.

🚫 Antonyms

inaction (n.) – lack of action or activity.