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

• bond
• contract
• covenant
• deal
• guarantee
• guaranty
• warranty

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

The effect was to de- and re- contextualize the clichés of femininity and masculinity; to challenge any entrenched sense of surety about what is fancy, what is professional, what is kitschy, what is tough, what is fragile. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023

However, when oil companies fail, the surety companies also risk going bankrupt, according to Michael Salman, a UCLA professor emeritus in history who has closely followed oil issues. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023

He was released on $5,000 surety bail and ordered to submit to monitoring for alcohol. —Amanda Milkovits, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2023

Now, most defendants are expected to pay cash bail before they are released, and a surety – a person who vouchers for the defendant and promises to supervise them – is generally not required. —Megan T. Stevenson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2023

The accused will continue to be detained until the court approves their sureties. —Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 2 Aug. 2023

The bond can be paid through cash, a commercial surety, or a court program that requires a payment of 10% of the bond amount. —Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2023

Magistrate Mark Watson reset his bail to $10,000 cash surety. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2023

And the decision to keep the identities of the sureties hidden from public view only exacerbates those challenges. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 6 June 2023

See More

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

• surety bond
• stand surety

• surety bond
• stand surety

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