adjective
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containing, relating to, or having the nature of a promise
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insurance stipulating how the provisions of an insurance contract will be fulfilled after it has been signed
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of promissory
From the Medieval Latin word prōmissōrius, dating back to 1640–50. See promise, -tory 1
Explanation
Anything promissory has to do with a promise or agreement. Little kids who say "You promised!" are very interested in promissory matters. A promise is an agreement to do something, so anything promissory is related to a promise. A handshake is often a promissory gesture. Legally, a promissory note is an agreement to pay someone money. In court, lawyers might argue about whether a certain statement was promissory – that is, whether it was a promise that must be fulfilled. Whenever this word comes up, be sure to read the fine print.
Vocabulary lists containing promissory
Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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"I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr.
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Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963), List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last week, 52% of the company was sold to media mogul Byron Allen for $120 million: $20 million in cash and the rest in the form of a promissory note due in five years.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
In the months leading up to the trial, Musk’s initial 26 claims were whittled down to four: breach of charitable trust, promissory fraud, constructive fraud and unjust enrichment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
Baldoni’s lawsuit, first reported by Variety, was filed Tuesday against the New York Times for libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025
Scavino was also granted a $600,000 retention bonus and a $4 million “executive promissory note” paid in shares, according to SEC filings.
From Salon • Jun. 3, 2024
Did Tom Brown, as he took out $160 million in loans and signed promissory notes for $6.25 million without reading the paperwork?
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
