WordGarden.ioentrust
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛntrˈʌst/
US
- /ɛnˈtrəst/
Meanings
Verb
to give someone responsibility for something because you trust them
Beyond the definition
To entrust someone with something is not just telling them about it. It is giving them responsibility and believing they will handle it with care. Imagine a knight giving his shield to a squire before battle; he is relying on the squire to keep it safe. Or think of a secret shared in confidence: you give that information to another person, hoping they will protect it.
The word carries weight. You would not entrust a casual acquaintance with your life savings or the keys to your home. It suggests vulnerability and a strong belief in the other person's honesty and ability. In stories and history, the word often appears in relationships built on duty and loyalty, like a leader giving an important mission to a trusted soldier or a king placing his kingdom in the hands of an heir.
To entrust means to commit something valuable—whether it's possessions, secrets, responsibilities, or even your well-being—to the care of another person. It's more than just a feeling of trust; it implies a deliberate act of handing over control and relying on someone else to handle the matter with care and integrity.
You might entrust a valuable heirloom to a museum for safekeeping, knowing it will be protected well. Or you could entrust your children to a teacher, believing they will be cared for and guided well. The act always involves some risk, because the other person may fail to do what you hoped.
The word is often used in serious situations. People may entrust money, legal duties, family members, private information, or an important task to someone they believe is reliable. It often appears when the speaker wants to show both confidence and responsibility.
You will often see it in patterns like "entrust someone with a task" or "entrust something to someone's care." It can describe everyday situations, but it often sounds more formal than simply saying "give" or "leave with." At its heart, the word is about placing something important in another person's hands and believing they will treat it responsibly.
Examples
- 1
Vacation favor
She entrusted her house keys to a neighbor while she was on vacation.
- 2
Work responsibility
The manager entrusted me with the final interview.
- Patternentrust someone with + task/responsibility
give them responsibility for it
- 3
Financial trust
Many clients entrust their savings to her because she is careful and honest.
- 4
Project leadership
He was entrusted with leading the project after the team leader left.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Child care
I wasn't ready to entrust my daughter to a babysitter I had just met.
- Patternentrust + person/child to + caregiver
leave them in that person's care
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- entrust someone with something
- entrust something to someone
- entrust a task
- entrust a child to someone
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- entrustverb
Forms
- entrustedpast tenseverb
- entrusting-ing formverb
- entrustsverb