assurance

American  

[uh-shoor-uhns, -shur-] / əˈʃʊər əns, -ˈʃɜr- /

noun

assurances plural

1. a positive declaration intended to give confidence.

   He received assurances of support for the project.

2. promise or pledge; guaranty; surety.

   He gave his assurance that the job would be done.

   Synonyms:

   oath, warranty

3. full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty.

   to act in the assurance of success.

   Antonyms:

   uncertainty

4. freedom from timidity; self-confidence; belief in one's abilities.

   She acted with speed and assurance.

   Antonyms:

   uncertainty

5. presumptuous boldness; impudence.

   Synonyms:

   cheek, nerve, impertinence, effrontery

   Antonyms:

   uncertainty

6. Chiefly British. insurance.

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assurance British  

/ əˈʃʊərəns /

noun

1. a statement, assertion, etc, intended to inspire confidence or give encouragement

   she was helped by his assurance that she would cope

2. a promise or pledge of support

   he gave an assurance of help when needed

3. freedom from doubt; certainty

   his assurance about his own superiority infuriated her

4. forwardness; impudence

5. insurance providing for certainties such as death as contrasted with fire or theft

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Usage

What does assurance mean? An assurance is a positive promise, pledge, or guarantee. It is intended to dispel the listener’s doubts and give them confidence. When we are worried about something, an assurance from a trusted source can ease our anxieties. If you’re nervous about a volcano erupting, a scientist could give you assurance that it’s not meant to blow for 500 more years. The assurance might help you feel more safe and certain. Example: When Marya’s teacher asked why she hadn’t submitted her assignment, Marya gave an assurance that the essay was on its way.

Synonym Usage

See trust. See confidence.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preassurance
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• assurances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of assurance

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English ass(e)ura(u)nce, from Middle French ass(e)urance; equivalent to assure + -ance

Explanation

An assurance is a vote of confidence. If you give your friend an assurance that you'll be there, you'd better show up. If you pledge to do something or make a binding commitment to do it, you can use the noun assurance. If the bank is going to loan you money to buy a house, they are going to need some sort of assurance that you will repay the loan in a timely manner. If you have confidence in yourself and your abilities, you can also use assurance to describe that — "The baseball team played with assurance, quickly racking up a seven point lead."

Example Sentences

The company is continuing with a strategic review into selling or demerging its Energy & Infrastructure unit from Intertek Testing & Assurance, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

In fact, the National Committee for Quality Assurance only tracked whether someone was on a statin, and their adherence to it.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

It said: "The licensee will attend monthly Oversight and Assurance meetings with NHS England to discuss its progress in the required actions as set out in this document."

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2024

“Defeat devices significantly increase air pollution from motor vehicles, particularly in communities that already are overburdened by pollution,” said David M. Uhlmann, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2024

Assurance had returned to her; the litany of her voice picked up pace.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• affirmation
• assertion
• guarantee
• pledge
• promise
• security
• support
• word