WordGarden.ioindemnify
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɪndˈɛmnɪfˌaɪ/
US
- /ˌɪnˈdɛmnəˌfaɪ/
Meanings
Verb
to protect someone from financial loss or legal liability by formal agreement
to compensate or reimburse someone for loss or damage
Beyond the definition
Imagine your friend accidentally backs into someone's mailbox. Ouch! If they have the right insurance policy, it might indemnify them, meaning the insurance company will step in and pay for the damage, protecting them from financial loss.
To indemnify someone is to protect them from loss or to repay them for damage or costs. It's often used in legal and business settings, especially in contracts and insurance policies. Think of it as a promise to "make someone whole" again. You might expect an insurer to indemnify you if your house burns down, or a company to indemnify a worker against certain legal costs connected to the job.
To indemnify means to protect someone from financial loss, damage, or legal responsibility by paying the cost or taking responsibility for it. It is a formal term often found in legal agreements, insurance policies, and contracts. In simple terms, one person or company promises to cover certain losses another person might suffer.
Think of it like this: if you rent an apartment, your landlord might require you to indemnify them against damage caused by your guests. That means you agree to pay if one of your visitors breaks something. In the same way, a company might indemnify its employees against lawsuits that come from work they did for the company, covering legal fees or damages.
The key idea is compensation after a loss. It is not only about protection in advance; it is also about restoring someone as much as possible after something has gone wrong. This can mean paying for repairs, covering medical bills, or settling legal claims.
You'll often see phrases like "hold harmless and indemnify," meaning one party agrees to protect the other from certain losses or liabilities. It is a way of shifting risk from one side to another. So when you hear indemnify, think of someone stepping in to cover the loss and make things right again.
Examples
- 1
Product liability
The manufacturer agreed to indemnify the store for any losses caused by the faulty batteries.
- 2
Travel insurance
This policy will indemnify you for medical expenses during your trip.
- 3
Legal claims
The company promised to indemnify its directors against legal claims made while they were doing their jobs.
- Patternindemnify someone against + risk
protect them by paying costs if that risk happens
See also
Similar
- compensate
- reimburse
- make good
Shades of meaning
- hold harmless
- insure
- make restitution
Contrast
- hold liable
- penalize
Used with (collocations)
- indemnify against loss
- indemnify someone for damages
- indemnify and hold harmless
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- indemnifyverb
Forms
- indemnifiedpast tenseverb
- indemnifying-ing formverb
- indemnifiesverb