adj
indentured
ihn-DEHN-chuhd
adj
1
Bound by a legal contract to work for someone for a set period, typically in exchange for passage, training, or debt repayment.
"Many early colonists arrived as indentured servants who worked off the cost of their voyage."
How to Use Indentured
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLegally bound to work for a fixed term under a contract, historically often under harsh conditions.
Common pairings
indentured servant
indentured labourer
indentured to a master
Word Forms
indentureds plural
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Many early colonists arrived as _____ servants who worked off the cost of their voyage.
Etymology
From indenture + -ed; an indenture was originally a contract cut with a zigzag ("indented") edge so the two copies could later be matched to prove authenticity.
Rhymes for indentured
figured
injured
assured
secured
insured
scoured
coloured
captured
favoured
tortured
measured
honoured
See all rhymes for indentured →