surety

[ shoor-i-tee, shoor-tee, shur-i-tee, shur-tee ]

/ ˈʃʊər ɪ ti, ˈʃʊər ti, ˈʃɜr ɪ ti, ˈʃɜr ti /

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See synonyms for surety on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural sur·e·ties.

security against loss or damage or for the fulfillment of an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.; a pledge, guaranty, or bond.

a person who is legally responsible for the debt, default, or delinquency of another.

a person who, as a sponsor, godparent, etc., has assumed or accepted responsibility for another's debts or behavior.

the state or quality of being sure.

certainty.

something that makes sure; ground of confidence or safety.

assurance, especially self-assurance.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of surety

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English surte from Middle French; Old French seurte from Latin sēcūritāt-, stem of sēcūritās security

OTHER WORDS FROM surety

o·ver·sure·ty, nounsub·sur·e·ty, noun, plural sub·sur·e·ties.

Words nearby surety

sure-handed, surely, sure of oneself, Sûreté, sure thing, surety, suretyship, surf, surface, surface acoustic wave, surface-active

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use surety in a sentence

There’s a surety to her grids and lines that lets you hang on to them when the floor on reality seems to be tilting and truth morphing.
After the 2016 election, Agnes Martin's paintings gave me solace. This time, they're still an escape.|Kelsey Ables|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
Whatever he did as Mediator or Surety, must, therefore, have been done in connection with the covenant.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Again, if there is a surety for any of the debts, he may insist on the application of the money in order to be relieved.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Besides, that oath was sworn to him as not merely a priest, but as the Surety and Mediator of the new covenant.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

But could any dependent being fully designate its glorious origin, and infinite Surety?
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
With seynt Iohn, with St. John for a surety; borwe being in the dat.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for surety

surety

/ (ˈʃʊətɪ, ˈʃʊərɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

a person who assumes legal responsibility for the fulfilment of another's debt or obligation and himself becomes liable if the other defaults

security given against loss or damage or as a guarantee that an obligation will be met

obsolete the quality or condition of being sure

obsolete a means of assurance or safety

stand surety to act as a surety

Derived forms of surety

suretyship, noun

Word Origin for surety

C14: from Old French seurte, from Latin sēcūritās security

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

surety

Origin of surety

OTHER WORDS FROM surety

Words nearby surety

Words related to surety

How to use surety in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for surety

Derived forms of surety

Word Origin for surety