avouch

American  

[uh-vouch] / əˈvaʊtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to make frank acknowledgment or affirmation of; declare or assert with positiveness.

2. to assume responsibility for; vouch for; guarantee.

3. to admit; confess.

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avouch British  

/ əˈvaʊtʃ /

verb

1. to vouch for; guarantee

2. to acknowledge

3. to assert

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• avoucher
  noun
• avouchment
  noun
• unavouched
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of avouch

1350–1400; Middle English avouchen < Middle French avouchier < Latin advocāre. See a- ⁵, vouch, advocate

Explanation

When you avouch, you assert that something is true. An accused man might be acquitted if several eyewitnesses avouch that he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. Avouch is an extremely old-fashioned way to say another (only slightly old-fashioned) word, avow. Use either word to mean "assert" or "declare." While it's unusual to hear people use avouch, it's common to say something like, "I'll vouch for my friend," meaning you'll give evidence or make a guarantee on your friend's behalf. The root of avouch is the Latin advocare, "call to as a witness."