Word
undertaking
Phoneticsun·der·tak·ing, stress on the first syllable
/ˈəndɝˌteɪkɪŋ/
Definitions
01a major task or project
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a job, task, or piece of work that is often difficult or takes a long time.
n. a task, project, or enterprise, typically one that is substantial or requires significant effort.
“Building a new house is a massive undertaking that requires careful planning.”
“The restoration of the cathedral proved to be a monumental undertaking, involving hundreds of specialized craftsmen and years of meticulous labor.”
Synonyms
02a formal promise
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. a formal promise or agreement to do something.
n. a formal pledge or guarantee to perform a specific action or fulfill a requirement.
“The company gave a written undertaking that they would fix the problem.”
“The defendant provided a formal undertaking to the court, promising to refrain from contacting the witnesses until the trial concluded.”
Usage
Often followed by a 'that' clause or an infinitive.
Synonyms
03funeral business
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Formal
n. the business of managing funerals and preparing bodies for burial.
n. the professional management of funeral arrangements and the disposal of the dead.
“The family has been in the business of undertaking for three generations.”
“He decided to pursue a career in undertaking, viewing the service as a vital support for grieving families in the community.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Choreographed by Piet Van Dycke, the show then knuckles down to more serious tricks, with the performers undertaking a series of costume changes that are so subtle you don’t notice them at first.” “Mexican authorities and researchers are working to conserve the vaquita in its native habitat before undertaking any invasive efforts to breed the animals, clone them or even move them into captivity.” Etymology
By surface analysis, undertake + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/undertaking