underwrite

/ˈʌndəɹaɪt/

//ˈʌndəɹaɪt// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"underwrite" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“underwrite” is an uncommon English word, ranked #50,293 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#50,293
frequency rank, English
10
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To write below or under; subscribe.

Key facts for underwrite
PropertyValue
Headwordunderwrite
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈʌndəɹaɪt/
Letters10
Frequency rank#50,293
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “underwrite” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). underwrite lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for underwrite is 10 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈʌndəɹaɪt/. Corpus data places it at rank #50,293 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 8 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Zero misspellings are on record for underwrite in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. Our confusable-pair dataset has no match for it, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English underwriten, from Old English underwrītan (“to write at the foot of, write under, subscribe”). Compare Dutch onderschrijven (“to endorse”), German unterschreiben (“to sign; endorse”), Danish underskrive (“to sign; endorse”). By surface a… The correct English form is underwrite, spelled U-N-D-E-R-W-R-I-T-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To write below or under; subscribe.
  2. 2
    To subscribe (a document, policy etc.) with one's name.
  3. 3
    To sign; to put one's name to.
  4. 4
    To agree to pay by signing one's name; subscribe.
  5. 5
    Specifically, to assume financial responsibility for something, and guarantee it against failure.
  6. 6
    To act as an underwriter.
  7. 7
    To support, lend support to, guarantee the basis of.
  8. 8
    To submit to; put up with.

Etymology

From Middle English underwriten, from Old English underwrītan (“to write at the foot of, write under, subscribe”). Compare Dutch onderschrijven (“to endorse”), German unterschreiben (“to sign; endorse”), Danish underskrive (“to sign; endorse”). By surface analysis, under- + write.

This word in other languages

suscribir(Español)unterschreiben(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "underwrite"?
"underwrite" is spelled U-N-D-E-R-W-R-I-T-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈʌndəɹaɪt/.
What does "underwrite" mean?
As a verb, "underwrite" means: To write below or under; subscribe.
How do you pronounce "underwrite"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "underwrite" is /ˈʌndəɹaɪt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "underwrite"?
From Middle English underwriten, from Old English underwrītan (“to write at the foot of, write under, subscribe”). Compare Dutch onderschrijven (“to endorse”), German unterschreiben (“to sign; endorse”), Danish underskrive (“to sign; endorse”). By... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “underwrite”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is U-N-D-E-R-W-R-I-T-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈʌndəɹaɪt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list