surety

American  

[shoor-i-tee, shoor-tee, shur-i-tee, shur-tee] / ˈʃʊər ɪ ti, ˈʃʊər ti, ˈʃɜr ɪ ti, ˈʃɜr ti /

noun

plural

sureties

1. security against loss or damage or for the fulfillment of an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.; a pledge, guaranty, or bond.

2. a person who is legally responsible for the debt, default, or delinquency of another.

3. a person who, as a sponsor, godparent, etc., has assumed or accepted responsibility for another's debts or behavior.

4. the state or quality of being sure.

5. certainty.

6. something that makes sure; ground of confidence or safety.

7. assurance, especially self-assurance.

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surety British  

/ ˈʃʊətɪ, ˈʃʊərɪtɪ /

noun

1. a person who assumes legal responsibility for the fulfilment of another's debt or obligation and himself becomes liable if the other defaults

2. security given against loss or damage or as a guarantee that an obligation will be met

3. obsolete the quality or condition of being sure

4. obsolete a means of assurance or safety

5. to act as a surety

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Other Word Forms

• oversurety noun
• subsurety noun
• suretyship noun

Etymology

Origin of surety

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English surte from Middle French; Old French seurte from Latin sēcūritāt-, stem of sēcūritās security

Explanation

A surety is a fact that no one questions. Surety, in a legal sense, is the security you can provide when you apply for a loan. When you're sure of something, you're positive it's true. Such things are sureties, because they inspire such confidence. Also, there's a legal type of surety. If you take out a loan, a house you own could be a surety: it could be claimed by your creditors if you don't repay the loan. That type of surety provides security (or insecurity, if you fail to pay back the loan).

Example Sentences

The housing factory surety guarantee idea is “super innovative,” said Jan Lindenthal-Cox, chief investment officer at the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund, a nonprofit that directs philanthropic money toward cost-cutting affordable housing projects.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Mr. Lendorf stood out for his unerring, dignified demeanor and the clarity of his pliant upper-body carriage against the marvelous surety of his cats-paw footwork and quietly powerful legwork.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

We’re well on the way to a future of absolute weather uncertainty—no surety to forecasts, a weakened ability to transmit emergency alerts—that we’ll nevertheless have to pay for out of our own pockets.

From Slate • May 22, 2025

“Governments are attempting to give surety, that this is a long-term supply deal,” he says.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2024

The hands that could make jets perform exotic gymnastics in the sky had a softness of touch and an inborn surety that made him an excellent outside shooter.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy