swear

American  

[swair] / swɛər /

verb (used without object)

swore sware, sworn, swearing

1. to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.

   Synonyms:

   avow , affirm , declare

2. to bind oneself by oath.

3. to give evidence or make a statement on oath.

   Synonyms:

   testify , depose

4. to use profane oaths or language.

   Don't swear in front of the children.

   Synonyms:

   imprecate

---

verb (used with object)

swore sware, sworn, swearing

1. to declare, affirm, attest, etc., by swearing by a deity, some sacred object, etc.

2. to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.

3. to promise or undertake on oath or in a solemn manner; vow.

4. to testify or state on oath.

   He swore it on the witness stand.

5. to take (an oath), as in order to give solemnity or force to a declaration, promise, etc.

6. to bind by an oath.

   to swear someone to secrecy.

noun

1. Informal.  a profane or obscene word; curse word.

   If we said a swear, Mom made us put a quarter in the jar.

   Heads-up—this movie trailer is full of swears and is NSFW.

verb phrase

1. swear by

   1. to name (a sacred being or thing) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing.

   2. Informal.  to have great confidence in; rely on.

      He swears by his dentist.

   3. to have certain knowledge of.

      I thought I saw him leaving, but I couldn't swear by it.

2. swear off  to promise or resolve to give up something.

   I've decided to swear off the internet one day a week.

   Have you sworn off red meat?

3. swear in  to admit to office or service by administering an oath.

   A new president will be sworn in today.

4. swear out  to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.

swear British  

/ swɛə /

verb

1. to declare or affirm (a statement) as true, esp by invoking a deity, etc, as witness

2. (foll by by)

   1. to invoke (a deity, etc) by name as a witness or guarantee to an oath

   2. to trust implicitly; have complete confidence (in)

3. to curse, blaspheme, or use swearwords

4. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to promise solemnly on oath; vow

5. (tr) to assert or affirm with great emphasis or earnestness

6. (intr) to give evidence or make any statement or solemn declaration on oath

7. to take an oath in order to add force or solemnity to (a statement or declaration)

8. informal  to assert emphatically

---

noun

1. a period of swearing

Related Words

See curse.

Other Word Forms

• reswear verb
• swearer noun
• swearingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of swear

First recorded before 900; Middle English sweren, Old English swerian; cognate with German schwören, Old Norse sverja; akin to Gothic swaran “to swear”; answer

Example Sentences

"I could swear they are from my hometown," he says.

From BBC

Every time she opens her mouth I swear a swarm of horseflies and pestilence are released to consume the countryside.

From Salon

Cris Collinsworth has worked with 13 partners over 17 seasons in the “Sunday Night Football” booth, and he swears he doesn’t hate your favorite team.

From Los Angeles Times

Which is why I’ve come to swear by a three-part drinks strategy that feels both streamlined and generous: a little choreography that keeps everyone content without turning you into the household beverage director.

From Salon

Federal officials, including the president’s Cabinet and members of Congress, all swore an oath to follow the Constitution and protect the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

From Salon

Related Words

• affirm
• assert
• depose
• testify
• vow