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definitions

avowal

[uh-vou-uh l]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR avowal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an open statement of affirmation; frank acknowledgment or admission.

RELATED WORDS

announcement, declaration, proclamation, admission, confession, assertion, affirmation, testimony, oath

Origin of avowal

First recorded in 1720–30; avow + -al2
Related formspre·a·vow·al, nounre·a·vow·al, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for avowal

Historical Examples of avowal

  • The very fact that they come to us for help is an avowal of their honesty.

  • There was something in the tone of this avowal that made Jan think.

    Jan and Her Job

    L. Allen Harker

  • In the provinces, to live in another person's house is an avowal of poverty.

  • On the morning after her avowal it was ten o'clock before Clotilde left her room.

    Doctor Pascal

    Emile Zola

  • "I have scarce courage for the avowal," said she, in a low, faint voice.

    Roland Cashel

    Charles James Lever

Word Origin and History for avowal
n.

1727, from avow + -al (2).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper