🔊 Pronunciation: /ɪˈspaʊz/
(ih-SPOWZ)
🗣️ Part of Speech: Verb
Definition:
Espouse means to adopt, support, or embrace a particular idea, belief, cause, or way of life. It does not mean "to marry" in modern usage, though it originally had that meaning historically.
Examples:
- "The professor espoused a more holistic approach to education."
- "Many activists espouse environmental sustainability."
- "He refused to espouse any political ideology without careful research."
(She supported or advocated for that approach.)
(They strongly support and promote eco-friendly values.)
(He wouldn’t adopt or endorse one without thinking it through.)
🧠 Bonus Tip:
The word espouse comes from the Latin sponsus, meaning “betrothed” or “promised.”
Over time, the meaning shifted from marrying a person to “marrying” an idea, that is, committing yourself to it.
💡 Think of it like:
- Taking up a belief and standing behind it.
- Aligning yourself with a cause or principle.
- ‘Wedded’ to an idea, not romantically, but through commitment.
Use espouse when you want a strong, formal way to say someone supports or advocates for something.