swear
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1swear
verb \ˈswer\swore \ˈswȯr\ sworn \ˈswȯrn\ swear·ing
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 Examples of SWEAR
- He swore revenge on the killers.
- I swear to God, I'll kill him if he comes back.
- Don't swear in front of the children.
- I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth.
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
First Known Use: before 12th century
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
nounDefinition of SWEAR
Examples of SWEAR
- I heard him say a swear.
- <can't you express your frustration without using swears?>
First Known Use of SWEAR
14th century
Related to SWEAR
- Synonyms
- curse, cuss, cussword, dirty word, expletive, four-letter word, obscenity, profanity, swearword, vulgarism
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