guarantee

[ gar-uhn-tee ]
See synonyms for: guaranteeguaranteedguaranteeingguarantees on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a promise or assurance, especially one in writing, that something is of specified quality, content, benefit, etc., or that it will perform satisfactorily for a given length of time: a money-back guarantee.

  2. an assurance that another’s obligation will be fulfilled, or something presented as such security; guaranty (defs. 1, 2).

  1. something that assures a particular outcome or condition: Wealth is no guarantee of happiness.

  2. a person who gives a guarantee or guaranty; guarantor.

  3. a person to whom a guarantee is made.

verb (used with object),guar·an·teed, guar·an·tee·ing.
  1. to secure, as by giving or taking security: A credit card guarantees your reservation at the hotel.

  2. to make oneself answerable for (something) on behalf of someone else who is primarily responsible: to guarantee the fulfillment of a contract.

  1. to undertake to ensure for another, as rights or possessions: The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

  2. to serve as a warrant or guaranty for.

  3. to undertake to protect or indemnify: to guarantee a person against loss.

  4. to undertake (to do something): I will guarantee to prove every word I stated.

  5. to promise (usually followed by a clause as object): I guarantee that I'll be there.

Origin of guarantee

1
First recorded in 1670–80; alteration ofguaranty

Other words from guarantee

  • non·guar·an·tee, noun
  • pre·guar·an·tee, noun, verb (used with object), pre·guar·an·teed, pre·guar·an·tee·ing.
  • qua·si-guar·an·teed, adjective
  • re·guar·an·tee, noun, verb (used with object), re·guar·an·teed, re·guar·an·tee·ing.
  • su·per·guar·an·tee, noun, verb, su·per·guar·an·teed, su·per·guar·an·tee·ing.
  • un·guar·an·teed, adjective

Words that may be confused with guarantee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use guarantee in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for guarantee

guarantee

/ (ˌɡærənˈtiː) /


noun
  1. a formal assurance, esp in writing, that a product, service, etc, will meet certain standards or specifications

  2. law a promise, esp a collateral agreement, to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of another

    • a person, company, etc, to whom a guarantee is made

    • a person, company, etc, who gives a guarantee

  1. a person who acts as a guarantor

  2. something that makes a specified condition or outcome certain

  3. a variant spelling of guaranty

verb-tees, -teeing or -teed (mainly tr)
  1. (also tr) to take responsibility for (someone else's debts, obligations, etc)

  2. to serve as a guarantee for

  1. to secure or furnish security for: a small deposit will guarantee any dress

  2. (usually foll by from or against) to undertake to protect or keep secure, as against injury, loss, etc

  3. to ensure: good planning will guarantee success

  4. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to promise or make certain

Origin of guarantee

1
C17: perhaps from Spanish garante or French garant, of Germanic origin; compare warrant

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