avow

American  

[uh-vou] / əˈvaʊ /

verb (used with object)

1. to declare frankly or openly; assert; confess; admit.

   He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances.

   Synonyms:

   profess, own, declare, affirm, acknowledge

   Antonyms:

   repudiate, disavow, deny

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avow British  

/ əˈvaʊd, əˈvaʊ, əˈvaʊɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to state or affirm

2. to admit openly

3. rare law to justify or maintain (some action taken)

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Other Word Forms

• avowable adjective
• avowal noun
• avowed adjective
• avowedly adverb
• avower noun
• reavow verb (used with object)
• unavowable adjective
• unavowableness noun
• unavowably adverb

Etymology

Origin of avow

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English avowen, from Old French avoue(r), from Latin advocāre; advocate

Example Sentences

Doing so, the president avowed, would be unsportsmanlike.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sokol is an avowed fan of “Atlas Shrugged,” the 1957 novel by Ayn Rand that made a moral case for capitalism and self interest.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It feels magic... the adrenaline!" said Ibrahimovic, an avowed non-skier who joked: "I didn't qualify for the downhill, I'm aiming for next year!"

From Barron's

Rodriguez has the avowed loyalty of Venezuela's military and state institutions: her brother is the influential head of parliament.

From Barron's

As if to emphasize his status, he is an avowed metalhead, occasionally recommending tunes such as “I Am Hated” by Slipknot.

From The Wall Street Journal