First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1swear
verb \ˈswer\
: to state (something) very strongly and sincerely
: to promise very strongly and sincerely to do or not do something
: to use offensive words when you speak
swore \ˈswȯr\ sworn \ˈswȯrn\ swear·ing
Full Definition of SWEAR
transitive verb
1
: to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
2
a : to assert as true or promise under oath <a sworn affidavit> <swore to uphold the Constitution> b : to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly <swore he'd study harder next time>
3
a : to put to an oath : administer an oath to b : to bind by an oath <swore them to secrecy>
4
obsolete : to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
5
: to bring into a specified state by swearing <swore his life away>
intransitive verb
1
: to take an oath
2
: to use profane or obscene language : curse
— swear·er noun
— swear by
: to place great confidence in <swears by his mechanic>
— swear for
: to give assurance for : guarantee
— swear off
: to vow to abstain from : renounce <swear off smoking>
See swear defined for English-language learners
See swear defined for kids
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Origin of SWEAR
Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; akin to Old High German swerien to swear and perhaps to Old Church Slavic svarŭ quarrel
Rhymes with SWEAR
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
2swear
noun
Definition of SWEAR
See swear defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SWEAR
14th century
Related to SWEAR
- Synonyms
- curse, cuss, cussword, dirty word, expletive, four-letter word, obscenity, profanity, swearword, vulgarism
SWEAR FOR Defined for Kids
swear
verb \ˈswer\
swore \ˈswȯr\sworn \ˈswȯrn\swear·ing
Definition of SWEAR for Kids
1
: to use bad or vulgar language : curse
2
: to make a statement or promise with sincerity or under oath : vow <I swear to tell the truth.>
3
: to give an oath to <The witness was sworn.>
4
: to bind by an oath <He swore them to secrecy.>
5
: to be or feel certain <I swear I saw it a minute ago.>
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