promise

1 of 2

noun

prom·​ise ˈprä-məs 

1

a

: a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified

b

: a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act

2

: reason to expect something

little promise of relief

especially : ground for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence

shows considerable promise

3

: something that is promised

promise

2 of 2

verb

promised; promising

transitive verb

1

: to pledge to do, bring about, or provide

promise aid

2

archaic : warrant, assure

3

chiefly dialectal : betroth

4

: to suggest beforehand : give promise of

dark clouds promise rain

intransitive verb

1

: to make a promise

2

: to give ground for expectation : be imminent

promisee

ˌprä-mə-ˈsē 

noun

promisor

ˌprä-mə-ˈsȯr 

noun

or less commonly promiser

ˈprä-mə-sər 

Synonyms

Noun

• oath
• pledge
• troth
• vow
• word

Verb

• covenant
• pledge
• swear
• vow

Examples of promise in a Sentence

Noun

She gave me her promise.

She never made a promise that she didn't intend to keep.

There is little promise of relief in the forecast.

They were attracted by the promise of success.

a sunny morning that gives every promise of a fine day

There is a promise of better days ahead.

Verb

Promise me that you won't tell anyone.

I can't promise you that I'll be able to go, but I'll do my best.

The governor promised that the prisoners would receive a fair trial.

She promised to announce the results tomorrow.

International organizations have promised aid.

I promise to be careful.

You always promise, but you never do what you say you will.

“I won't tell anyone.” “Promise?” “Yes, I promise.”

Those gray skies promise rain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Every door holds the promise of adventure and endless possibilities, as the rooms and mysteries beyond are never the same from one day to the next. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

The promise of state tax dollars being invested in the community is one of the points Lopez is raising when confronted with tax increase concerns. —Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024

That was a promise that might have felt necessary because Lefebvre, 56, doesn’t come off as the circus ringleader type. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

The Detroit icon reflects on his trials and tribulations as a father and the relationship issues with Hailie’s mother, Kim, in a promise to be better amid their humble beginnings. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024

After swiftly denying a Reuters report that Tesla would be dropping plans for a $25,000 electric vehicle — which has since been corroborated — Musk made his latest promise to investors and fans — a self-driving Tesla would be unveiled on August 8. —William Gavin, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024

Taking control of Britain’s borders was a central promise of the 2016 Brexit campaign, championed by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Sunak. —Megan Specia, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024

The promise was that applicants would be able to utilize a streamlined form and process for the 2024-25 school year. —Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 60th Anniversary Legends photo shoot promises to be, well, legendary. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

Verb

As a candidate, Modi promised to right India’s feckless economic policy and countervail against the Congress Party’s corruption. —Ashoka Mody, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024

Since his introductory news conference in early February, Harbaugh has promised to rebuild the Chargers up front and bolster a running game that has been particularly unreliable of late. —Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Because the government deems internet access an essential service, the FCC is promising oversight as if broadband were a public utility. —Emma Bowman, NPR, 26 Apr. 2024

Drake promises some sort of nod to Carolina blue with his own. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2024

Mac Jones, a first-round pick in 2021, looked promising as a rookie but saw production drop off over the last two seasons. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024

The only gift better than an appointment to the spa might be the Theragun, which promises spa-level massages at the press of the button — whenever, wherever. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

Lyu naturally promises there's plenty more on the way, of course. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024

Read: What Hamas promises, Iranians know too well Third, Iranians have a recent memory of how terrible war can be. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English promis, from Latin promissum, from neuter of promissus, past participle of promittere to send forth, promise, from pro- forth + mittere to send

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing promise

• a lick and a promise
• breach of promise
• break one's promise
• full of promise
• go back on one's promise
• hold/have promise
• I (can) promise you
• keep/fulfill one's promise
• lick and a promise
• make a promise
• promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world
• show (a lot of) promise

Kids Definition

promise

1 of 2 noun

prom·​ise ˈpräm-əs 

1

: a statement by a person that he or she will or will not do something

a promise to pay within a month

2

: something promised

3

: a cause or ground for hope

give promise of success

shows promise

promise

2 of 2 verb

promised; promising

1

: to give a promise about one's own actions

I promise to clean my room this afternoon

2

: to give reason to expect

dark clouds promising rain

promisor

ˌpräm-ə-ˈsȯ(ə)r 

noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English promisse, promis "promise," derived from Latin promissus, past participle of promittere "to send forth, promise," from pro- "forward, forth" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to message

Legal Definition

promise

noun

prom·​ise

: a declaration or manifestation especially in a contract of an intention to act or refrain from acting in a specified way that gives the party to whom it is made a right to expect its fulfillment

— aleatory promise

: a promise (as to compensate an insured individual for future loss) whose fulfillment is dependent on a fortuitous or uncertain event

— collateral promise

: a promise usually to pay the debt of another that is ancillary to an original promise, is not made for the benefit of the party making it, and must be in writing to be enforceable

— false promise

: a promise that is made with no intention of carrying it out and especially with intent to deceive or defraud

— gratuitous promise

: a promise that is made without consideration and is usually unenforceable

called also naked promise

compare nudum pactum

Note: A gratuitous promise may be enforceable under promissory estoppel.

— illusory promise

: a purported promise that does not actually bind the party making it to a particular performance

an illusory promise depending solely on the will of the supposed promisor

— implied promise

: a promise that is considered to exist despite the lack of an agreement or express terms to that effect and the breach of which may be recognized as a cause of action

claimed a breach of an implied promise that he would not be terminated at will

see also promise implied in fact and promise implied in law in this entry

— naked promise

: gratuitous promise in this entry

— original promise

: a promise (as in a suretyship) usually to pay the debt of another that is made primarily for the benefit of the party making it and need not be in writing to be enforceable compare collateral promise in this entry, main purpose rule

— promise implied in fact

: an implied promise that exists by inference from specific facts, circumstances, or acts of the parties

— promise implied in law

: an implied promise that exists on the basis of a legally enforceable duty and not on the basis of words or conduct which are promissory in form or support an inference of a promise

a promise implied in law that one will be compensated for services rendered and accepted