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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

So is the promise of a second coming, which is not necessarily consoling. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023

Arms control agreements generally lock countries into promises to limit their military activity and set up monitoring mechanisms so leaders can make sure their counterparts are abiding by their commitments. —Mathias Hammer, TIME, 13 Nov. 2023

But despite the many eulogies for the metaverse, the promise has not died and the technologies seem to be improving. —WIRED, 13 Nov. 2023

Shortcuts are always available, tempting brand owners with promises of higher yields and profits. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2023

The first nation that got the word from God, the promise from God—the first nation is the one who has the right to it. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2023

Despite promises to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from 151 governments worldwide, fossil fuel producers are planning expansions that could jeopardize the climate’s future, a new United Nations report has found. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023

So, with the promise of $1,000 going to each man on the job, that March 18, 1988 morning, Smith and his associate, John Forrest Parker, knocked on the Sennetts' door. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023

Despite the promises of methane reductions that Simmons touts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned that methane in the atmosphere had its fourth-highest annual increase in 2022. —Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2023

Verb

Whether grabbing a latte with friends or running errands around town, these UGG Boots promise to warmly cradle your feet and elevate any outfit. —Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023

Included in this bundle are five different patches that promise to de-puff, hydrate, brighten, smooth and illuminate the skin around your eyes. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023

That copay is based on the price the drug plan or PBM promises the pharmacy at the moment of sale. —Arthur Allen, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023

This chair was disappointing in several ways: it was delivered in poor condition (despite being ordered with white glove delivery), did not feature the adjustability that was promised, and—in our opinion—was no more comfortable than a more budget-friendly chair from Walmart. —Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023

Featuring plenty of the gore promised in the trailer, this throwback slasher pic will gratify genre fans who will appreciate the titular holiday finally getting its own horror film along with the likes of Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023

President Biden promised to remove every lead pipe in the United States by 2031. —Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023

In 2017, Mattel made another big pledge to the hospital, promising to donate $49 million in cash over the next 12 years. —Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023

But not even McCarthy promising an impeachment inquiry was able to buy him enough goodwill to simply keep the government running. —Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023

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

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

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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