endorsement

IPA/ɪnˈdɔːsmənt/
KK[ɛndˈɔrsmənt]IPA/ɪnˈdɔːrsmənt/

endorsement — noun

  • endorsementsingular
  • endorsementsplural

1. A formal or public declaration that you agree with, support, or recommend someon

1.nounB2
Definition

A formal or public declaration that you agree with, support, or recommend someone or something — for example, a newspaper backing a political candidate, or a union supporting a strike action.

Example

The senator's endorsement of the new healthcare plan gave it more weight in the debate.

endorsement + of + noun phrase

A leading science journal offered its official endorsement of the research findings.

Common collocations
  • endorsement of
  • endorsement for
  • give one's endorsement
  • win endorsement
  • withdraw endorsement
  • official endorsement
Synonyms
  • approval

    more general and less formal; can be personal rather than public

  • backing

    suggests active support such as funding or resources, not just verbal approval

  • support

    broader in meaning; endorsement is a specific type of public support

  • sanction

    more formal and often implies official authorisation

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

endorsement + of + noun phrase

endorsement + for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often appears with the prepositions of (for ideas or actions) and for (for people or candidates). The verb endorse is more common in everyday conversation, while endorsement tends to appear in more formal or written contexts.

Common Mistakes

I need your endorsement on my plan, Mum.
I want your support for my plan, Mum.
Endorsement usually implies a formal or public statement, not casual personal encouragement from a family member.

2. A paid arrangement where a famous person publicly promotes a product or service

2.nounB2
Definition

A paid arrangement where a famous person publicly promotes a product or service by stating they personally consume or enjoy it — such as a well-known athlete advertising a sports drink or a celebrity fronting a skincare campaign.

Example

Folake signed a lucrative endorsement deal with a major sportswear company.

endorsement deal

The YouTube chef gave an excited endorsement to an iced tea brand on his show.

endorsement + to + product — informal media context

Common collocations
  • endorsement deal
  • endorsement contract
  • celebrity endorsement
  • product endorsement
  • endorsement offer
  • lucrative endorsement
Synonyms
  • promotion

    broader term that includes any marketing activity; not limited to personal recommendations

  • testimonial

    focuses on a personal experience statement rather than a paid advertising arrangement

  • advertisement

    general term for any paid promotional content; endorsement is a specific type of ad

Antonyms
  • boycott

    organised refusal to buy or use a product

Grammar Patterns

endorsement + deal

celebrity/product + endorsement

endorsement + for + product

Usage Note

Frequently combined with deal or contract (endorsement deal, endorsement contract). The promoting person is usually described as a celebrity, athlete, or influencer — not an anonymous model.

Common Mistakes

The singer made an endorsement of the watch.
The singer did a celebrity endorsement for the watch.
In advertising contexts, the compound noun celebrity endorsement or product endorsement is more natural than endorsement alone.

3. An official note recorded on a driver's licence after the driver has been found

3.nounB2
Definition

An official note recorded on a driver's licence after the driver has been found guilty of breaking traffic rules — for instance, speeding or running a red light. Accumulating too many of these can result in a driving ban.

Example

Otis received three penalty points and an endorsement on his driving licence.

endorsement on [someone's] driving licence

Too many endorsements on a licence can result in a driving ban.

Common collocations
  • licence endorsement
  • endorsement point
  • penalty endorsement
  • endorsement on licence
  • endorsement removed
Synonyms
  • penalty point

    more common in everyday British usage; endorsement is the formal official term

  • mark

    less specific; endorsement is the precise legal term for the mark on the licence

Grammar Patterns

licence endorsement

endorsement + on + driving licence

Usage Note

Primarily used in British English. In the United States, the same concept is usually expressed as points on a licence or driving record rather than endorsements.

Common Mistakes

I got an endorsement on my license for parking too close to a hydrant.
I got points on my license for parking too close to a fire hydrant.
In American English, traffic violations add points, not endorsements.

4. A signature or short written note on the back of a cheque or other official docu

4.nounC1
Definition

A signature or short written note on the back of a cheque or other official document that makes it legally valid, transfers ownership to another person, or authorises a specific transaction.

Example

Gabriela added her endorsement to the back of the cheque before depositing it.

endorsement on the back of a cheque

The bank refused to cash the cheque because the endorsement was missing.

Common collocations
  • blank endorsement
  • restrictive endorsement
  • cheque endorsement
  • endorsement on
  • back of the cheque
  • special endorsement
Synonyms
  • signature

    general term for any handwritten name; endorsement specifically refers to a signature that validates or transfers a document

  • countersignature

    a second signature confirming the first; not the same as a single endorsement

Grammar Patterns

blank endorsement

endorsement + on + document

endorsement + of + cheque

Usage Note

The verb endorse is much more common in everyday financial contexts than the noun endorsement. A blank endorsement (signature only) is riskier than a restrictive endorsement (e.g. 'for deposit only') because it allows anyone holding the document to cash it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe positive responses, but endorsement stands apart because it is almost always public and formal. Approval is the broadest term — you can give approval in private or public, and it can be as simple as a nod. Backing adds the idea of active assistance, such as financial resources or organisational weight, not just words. Support is the most general, covering everything from emotional encouragement to political allegiance. Sanction is the most formal and official, often carrying legal or institutional authority — a government may sanction a policy, but a friend sanctions nothing. In everyday use, say endorsement when the context involves a public declaration (a newspaper supports a candidate), and use support or approval for quieter, personal situations.

approval ↗backing ↗support ↗sanction ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • give an endorsement
  • receive an endorsement
  • seek an endorsement
  • withdraw an endorsement
  • secure an endorsement

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Endorsement comes from the verb endorse, which entered English in the 1400s from Latin indorsare — a combination of in- (on) and dorsum (back). The original meaning was literal: to sign one's name on the back of a document. Over time, the term broadened from this physical act of signing to include the idea of confirming, approving, or publicly supporting someone or something. The suffix -ment turns the verb into a noun, as with commitment or enjoyment.