surety

noun

sure·​ty ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē 

ˈshər-

plural sureties

1

: the state of being sure: such as

a

: sure knowledge : certainty

b

: confidence in manner or behavior : assurance

2

a

: a formal engagement (such as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking : guarantee

b

: a basis of confidence or security

3

: one who has become legally liable for the debt, default, or failure in duty of another

suretyship

ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē-ˌship 

ˈshər-

noun

Synonyms

• contract
• guarantee
• deal
• assurance

Examples of surety in a Sentence

As sureties, they will be liable in his place.

gave his surety that he would pay back the loan if his sister was unable to for any reason

Recent Examples on the Web

When arrested, her bail is set at $5,000 cash surety. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

On Thursday, Chidester was released from Monroe County Jail after posting $1.5 million bond via a surety company. —Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 27 Apr. 2024

So now, for many companies, especially smaller companies, the cost of increasing their bond to cover the additional tariffs and potentially adding on collateral to support the surety, there's another sort of cost there for many companies. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Premiums earned from surety insurance were $19,759,540, and insurance commissions were $1,962,692. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English seurte, from Anglo-French seurté, from Latin securitat-, securitas security, from securus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing surety

• stand surety
• surety bond

Rhymes for surety

• purity
• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• security

Kids Definition

surety

noun

sure·​ty ˈshu̇r-ət-ē 

ˈshu̇(ə)rt-ē

plural sureties

1

: sure knowledge : certainty

2

: a formal agreement to do something : guarantee

3

: one who takes legal responsibility for another's debt or failure in duty

Legal Definition

surety

noun

sure·​ty ˈshu̇r-ə-tē 

plural sureties

1

: a formal engagement (as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking

2

: one (as an accommodation party) who promises to answer for the debt or default of another

Note: At common law a surety is distinguished from a guarantor by being immediately liable as opposed to becoming liable only upon default of the principal. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, however, a surety includes a guarantor, and the two terms are generally interchangeable.

Etymology

Anglo-French seurté, literally, guarantee, security, from Old French, from Latin securitat-, securitas, from securus secure