What does indorsement mean?
Indorsement means approval, support, or recommendation, especially when offered by a prominent or influential person. It is frequently used in political reporting, business, entertainment, and public life: a candidate may receive an endorsement, an organization may endorse a policy, or a celebrity may lend support to a product or project. The word can also have a more formal or legal sense, referring to a written authorization or signature placed on the back of a document such as a check. In that context, it records approval or the transfer of rights. Although endorsement is now the more usual spelling in British English, indorsement remains common in American English and is especially associated with legal usage. The term is generally neutral and authoritative, though the strength of support implied can vary according to context: an endorsement may be enthusiastic and public, or merely formal and procedural.
nounAn expression of approval, support, or recommendation, especially from a prominent or influential person. In legal contexts, it can also mean a statement or signature written on the back of a document, such as a check, indicating authorization or transfer of rights.
- An expression of approval, support, or recommendation, especially by a prominent person or organization.
- Official approval or authorization of a person, proposal, product, or course of action.
- A statement or signature written on the back of a document, especially a negotiable instrument, indicating authorization, transfer of rights, or endorsement of its contents.
"The senator's endorsement gave the candidate a significant boost in the primary election."
"The union issued an indorsement of the proposed labor agreement."
"Without the bank officer's indorsement, the check could not be deposited."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The candidate gathered several important indorsements before the election."
The word preserves the idea of writing on a document's back: its roots point to a hand literally “put on the back” before the meaning expanded to approval and support.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indorsement come from?
Indorsement comes from the verb indorse, a spelling that reflects an older prefixing of the Latin in-, meaning “on” or “onto,” with dorsum, “back.” The verb originally referred to writing on the back of a document and later developed the broader sense of supporting or approving. The related word endorse reflects the usual modern spelling and retains the same historical meaning.
Related word forms
How indorsement is actually used
The spelling indorsement is less common than endorsement in contemporary British usage but is recognized in American English and in legal contexts. In political and cultural reporting, the word usually means public approval or recommendation rather than a formal signature.
Easily confused with indorsement
Indorsement and endorsement are variant spellings of the same noun; endorsement is the usual modern spelling, while indorsement is especially associated with American and legal usage.