What does undertake mean?
Undertake is a formal verb meaning to take on a task, activity, or responsibility. It often implies more than merely beginning something: when a person or organization undertakes a project, it accepts an obligation to carry the work through. The verb is widely used in professional and institutional contexts, as in undertaking research, a review, or a contractual duty. It can also mean to attempt or set about an activity, although this older sense now tends to occur in formal or literary language. A related but stronger construction is “undertake to do something,” in which the speaker promises to perform the action. Undertake is generally more common in British English, though it is standard and readily understood in American English. The noun forms “undertake” and “undertaking” can refer to an enterprise or project, but the modern and ordinary noun is “undertaking.” The word’s combination of practical responsibility and the suggestion of a promise makes it especially useful for describing commitments, assignments, and ambitious pieces of work.
To agree to perform, take on, or accept responsibility for a task, activity, or obligation; also, to begin or attempt a piece of work.
"The two departments have agreed to undertake the joint investigation."
The construction “undertake to do something” expresses a promise or commitment. The verb is formal but standard in British and American English.
An enterprise, project, or piece of work that is taken in hand.
"The restoration of the theatre was a bold undertaking."
The noun is rare and dated; modern usage normally prefers “undertaking.”
The plural form is rare because the noun itself is uncommon; “undertakings” is the usual modern plural of the related noun “undertaking.”
"The annual report described the organization's major undertakes."
To undertake something is not merely to begin it—it is also to accept responsibility for seeing it through.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does undertake come from?
Undertake was formed in Middle English from the Old English prefix under- and the Old English verb tacan, “to take.” Its early usage conveyed taking in hand or attempting an action, while later usage developed the stronger sense of accepting responsibility or promising to perform it. English subsequently formed related words including undertaking, undertook, and undertaker; the last originally referred to someone who took on a task and later acquired its specialized funeral-related meaning.
Related word forms
How undertake is actually used
Undertake is formal in both British and American English and is especially common in professional, legal, and institutional prose. In the construction “undertake to do something,” the infinitive follows “to.”
Easily confused with undertake
Undertake means to take on or promise responsibility for a task, whereas an undertaker is someone who organizes funerals.