indentured
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ɪnˈdɛnʧərd/
KK: /ɪnˈdɛnʧərd/
adjective
Definition
Describing someone who is bound by a legal agreement to work for a specific period of time, often in exchange for passage to a new country or for training in a trade.
Example
Many immigrants in the 18th century came to America as indentured servants, working for several years to pay off their debts.
Conversation
Did you know that some workers were indentured in the past?
Yeah, I've read a bit about that. It's fascinating!
It's crazy how people would sign contracts for years of service.
Absolutely, it really shows how different things were back then.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bound
contracted
obligated
Antonyms
free
unbound
liberated
verb
Definition
To bind someone by a contract to work for a specific period of time, often in exchange for passage to a new country or for training in a trade.
Example
He was indentured to a master craftsman for five years to learn the trade.
Tense Forms
Past: indentured
Past Participle: indentured
Conversation
Did you know that my great-grandfather was indentured when he came to America?
Really? I didn’t know that; it must have been tough for him.
Yeah, he worked for several years to pay off his debt.
Root Explanation
Indentured → It is formed from "in-" (meaning in or into) and "denture" (from Old French *denturer*, meaning to give a tooth or to provide). The term originally referred to a contract that bound a person to work for another for a specified period, often in exchange for passage to a new country or training in a trade.
Memory Tip
Think of being 'bound into' a contract ('in-') that 'provides' work or service ('denture'). This helps you remember that 'indentured' refers to being bound by a contract to work.
Visually Confused Words
unindentured
denture
unadventured
unventured
unindented
debentured