guarantee

[gar-uhn-tee]

noun

1. a promise or assurance, especially one in writing, that something is of specified quality, content, benefit, etc., or that it will perform satisfactorily for a given length of time.

   a money-back guarantee.

2. an assurance that another’s obligation will be fulfilled, or something presented as such security; guaranty.

3. something that assures a particular outcome or condition.

   Wealth is no guarantee of happiness.

4. a person who gives a guarantee or guaranty; guarantor.

5. a person to whom a guarantee is made.

verb (used with object)

guaranteed, guaranteeing 

1. to secure, as by giving or taking security.

   A credit card guarantees your reservation at the hotel.

2. to make oneself answerable for (something) on behalf of someone else who is primarily responsible.

   to guarantee the fulfillment of a contract.

3. to undertake to ensure for another, as rights or possessions.

   The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

4. to serve as a warrant or guaranty for.

5. to undertake to protect or indemnify.

   to guarantee a person against loss.

6. to undertake (to do something).

   I will guarantee to prove every word I stated.

7. to promise (usually followed by a clause as object).

   I guarantee that I'll be there.

guarantee

/ ˌɡærənˈtiː /

noun

1. a formal assurance, esp in writing, that a product, service, etc, will meet certain standards or specifications

2. law a promise, esp a collateral agreement, to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of another

3. 1. a person, company, etc, to whom a guarantee is made

   2. a person, company, etc, who gives a guarantee

4. a person who acts as a guarantor

5. something that makes a specified condition or outcome certain

6. a variant spelling of guaranty

verb

1. (also tr) to take responsibility for (someone else's debts, obligations, etc)

2. to serve as a guarantee for

3. to secure or furnish security for

   a small deposit will guarantee any dress

4. to undertake to protect or keep secure, as against injury, loss, etc

5. to ensure

   good planning will guarantee success

6. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to promise or make certain

Other Word Forms

• nonguarantee noun
• preguarantee noun
• quasi-guaranteed adjective
• reguarantee noun
• superguarantee noun
• unguaranteed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of guarantee¹

First recorded in 1670–80; alteration of guaranty

Word History and Origins

Origin of guarantee¹

C17: perhaps from Spanish garante or French garant, of Germanic origin; compare _warrant

Example Sentences

Given Cummins' timeframe, there is also no guarantee he will be fit for the second Test in Brisbane on 4 December.

Read more on BBC

FEMA’s letter also noted that unlike with the Tahitian property, “FEMA cannot conclude that Palisades Bowl represents a preserved or guaranteed source of long-term affordable housing,” based on the owners’ track record.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Our own security is predicated on a strong and resilient domestic economy, which guarantees our ability to build, innovate and to maintain the most capable military in the world.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The bigger problem, however, is that lenders have little incentive to guard against fraud when mortgages are ultimately guaranteed by taxpayers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There was no guarantee that they'd have been getting the hot property of 2021, the great redeemer who, eventually, stopped Celtic in their tracks.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• agreement 
• assurance 
• certificate 
• collateral 
• contract 
• deposit 
• insurance 
• security 
• warranty 

When To Use

What does guarantee mean?

A guarantee is a promise or assurance, especially one that is written or legally binding, that something is of a stated quality or will perform as stated, such as a guarantee that a car you purchase will operate correctly.A guarantee is also an assurance of a particular outcome or condition, as in Weather predictions are not guarantees. Weather often changes quickly.To guarantee something is to secure something, as a ticket guarantees entry to a movie showing.As well, to guarantee is to promise to do something, usually by signing a legally binding agreement, as in The company guaranteed me a job when I signed the contract.Example: I guarantee you will love your purchase and will give you a full refund if you don’t.