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.
Martin Luther King Jr. famously talked about the Constitution as a promissory note that reflected the aspirations of this nation, not necessarily who this nation was at a given moment.
From Slate ● Jun. 17, 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
The deadline to contest a will can be a matter of months in many jurisdictions, but the statute for promissory estoppel varies from two years to six years, depending on where you live.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 23, 2026
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.
