guarantee

[ gar-uhn-tee ]

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 ).
3. something that assures a particular outcome or condition:

   Wealth is no guarantee of happiness.

4. a person who gives a guarantee or guaranty; guarantor.
5. 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.

3. to undertake to ensure for another, as rights or possessions:

   The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

4. to serve as a warrant or guaranty for.
5. to undertake to protect or indemnify:

   to guarantee a person against loss.

6. to undertake (to do something):

   I will guarantee to prove every word I stated.

7. to promise (usually followed by a clause as object):

   I guarantee that I'll be there.

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
3. 1. a person, company, etc, to whom a guarantee is made
   2. a person, company, etc, who gives a guarantee
4. a person who acts as a guarantor
5. something that makes a specified condition or outcome certain
6. See guaranty
   a variant spelling of guaranty

verb

1. also tr to take responsibility for (someone else's debts, obligations, etc)
2. to serve as a guarantee for
3. to secure or furnish security for

   a small deposit will guarantee any dress

4. usually foll byfrom or against to undertake to protect or keep secure, as against injury, loss, etc
5. to ensure

   good planning will guarantee success

6. may take a clause as object or an infinitive to promise or make certain

Other Words From

• nonguar·an·tee noun
• preguar·an·tee noun verb (used with object) preguaranteed preguaranteeing
• quasi-guaran·teed adjective
• reguar·an·tee noun verb (used with object) reguaranteed reguaranteeing
• super·guaran·tee noun verb superguaranteed superguaranteeing
• unguar·an·teed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of guarantee¹

First recorded in 1670–80; alteration of guaranty

Word History and Origins

Origin of guarantee¹

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

Example Sentences

Without independent fact-checking, there is no guarantee that what GPT-3 says, even if it “sounds right,” is actually true.

From Nautilus

This caused tension with Outbrain, which didn’t pull away from its existing guarantee deals, according to a person familiar with the company.

From Digiday

So there is the risk that anyone could come in, and there is not guarantee.

From Fortune

So he took another big risk, choosing not only to transfer but to do so with no guarantee that the football team would take him.

From Ozy

It has come amid a wave of claims by federal lawmakers who are pushing for a probe into China’s lending practices to Nigeria, in the wake of a sovereign guarantee clause in loan agreements that has been erroneously interpreted.

From Quartz

Yazbek tells The Daily Beast that the traffickers guarantee their service, and they treat the Syrian refugees with respect.

From The Daily Beast

But inspiration and faith-based agenda in movies does not guarantee box office success.

From The Daily Beast

Yet race politics has limited appeal to whites, and ultimately may not guarantee keeping many minority voters in check.

From The Daily Beast

But even if the promised money does finally arrive, there is scant guarantee it will be used appropriately.

From The Daily Beast

But among ferocious ideologues, similar roots are no guarantee of mutual sympathy when schisms occur.

From The Daily Beast

He appeared before the shareholders, offered, if his advice and methods were adopted, to guarantee double the then dividend.

From Project Gutenberg

Peremptorily the steel magnates refused to continue the sliding scale previously agreed upon as a guarantee of peace.

From Project Gutenberg

Will you take your hands off—if we give you your railroad and guarantee train service?

From Project Gutenberg

Yet he was able, at the end of another two weeks, to guarantee six votes less than a majority.

From Project Gutenberg

"Sufficient guarantee," said her father, smiling archly as he looked up to his son, whose fair face had coloured deep red.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assure
• ensure
• insure
• maintain
• protect
• prove
• secure
• support

More About Guarantee

What does guarantee mean?

A guarantee is a promise or assurance, especially one that is written or legally binding, that something is of a stated quality or will perform as stated, such as a guarantee that a car you purchase will operate correctly.

A guarantee is also an assurance of a particular outcome or condition, as in Weather predictions are not guarantees. Weather often changes quickly.

To guarantee something is to secure something, as a ticket guarantees entry to a movie showing.

As well, to guarantee is to promise to do something, usually by signing a legally binding agreement, as in The company guaranteed me a job when I signed the contract.

Example: I guarantee you will love your purchase and will give you a full refund if you don’t.

Where does guarantee come from?

The first records of the term guarantee come from the 1670s. It ultimately comes from the Old French guarant, meaning “to warrant.”

Guarantee can be used as a synonym for promise but will often be used to exaggerate the meaningfulness or likelihood of the promise actually being fulfilled. If someone says I guarantee I will be there on time, they are emphasizing the fact that they will do what they say.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to guarantee?

• nonguarantee (noun)
• preguarantee (noun, verb)
• guaranteed (adjective, verb)
• unguaranteed (adjective)

What are some synonyms for guarantee?

• pledge
• agreement
• warranty
• ensure
• maintain

What are some words that share a root or word element with guarantee?

• guaranteed annual income
• guarantor
• warrant

What are some words that often get used in discussing guarantee?

• bond
• deal
• protection

What are some words guarantee may be commonly confused with?

• guaranty

How is guarantee used in real life?

Guarantees are often offered in legal situations, insurance policies, and for the marketing of products, all of which have different specific meanings.

Thank you all so much for an incredible weekend! Can guarantee I won't be forgetting this one! Thank you Ireland !

— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 26, 2014

Even if you hate me, I can guarantee you sing every word of happier when it comes on

— marshmello (@marshmello) February 6, 2019

I can guarantee, your email is not finding me well

— Adriana Lacy (@Adriana_Lacy) April 23, 2020

 

Try using guarantee!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for guarantee?

A. uncertainty
B. warranty
C. contract
D. agreement