vouchsafe

American  

[vouch-seyf] / vaʊtʃˈseɪf /

verb (used with object)

vouchsafed, vouchsafing

1. to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension.

   to vouchsafe a reply to a question.

   Synonyms:

   accord, confer, bestow

2. to allow or permit, as by favor or graciousness.

   They vouchsafed his return to his own country.

---

verb (used without object)

vouchsafed, vouchsafing

1. to condescend; deign.

vouchsafe British  

/ ˌvaʊtʃˈseɪf /

verb

1. to give or grant or condescend to give or grant

   she vouchsafed no reply

   he vouchsafed me no encouragement

2. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to agree, promise, or permit, often graciously or condescendingly

   he vouchsafed to come yesterday

3. obsolete

   1. to warrant as being safe

   2. to bestow as a favour (upon)

---

Other Word Forms

• unvouchsafed adjective
• vouchsafement noun

Etymology

Origin of vouchsafe

1275–1325; Middle English phrase vouche sauf. See vouch, safe

Example Sentences

“And it’s my first time at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival. I suppose, given the circumstances, it’s OK to vouchsafe my secrets or at least one secret about this book.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2022

Only regarding the next can we vouchsafe certainty.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 14, 2018

In a space becoming tighter by the hour, here was an artist determined to vouchsafe whatever freedom he could for his imagination.

From Washington Post • Jun. 7, 2018

“I never noticed Katharine Graham wearing a Washington Post sweatshirt to vouchsafe her loyalty. I’m just saying.”

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2017

"To vouchsafe for our good intentions, my brother Ser Perwyn will remain here until she is safely returned to you."

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin