swear

[swair]

verb (used without object)

swore , sware, sworn, swearing. .

1. to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.

   Synonyms: avow, affirm, declare

2. to bind oneself by oath.

3. to give evidence or make a statement on oath.

   Synonyms: testify, depose

4. to use profane oaths or language.

   Don't swear in front of the children.

   Synonyms: imprecate

verb (used with object)

swore , sware, sworn, swearing. .

1. to declare, affirm, attest, etc., by swearing by a deity, some sacred object, etc.

2. to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.

3. to promise or undertake on oath or in a solemn manner; vow.

4. to testify or state on oath.

   He swore it on the witness stand.

5. to take (an oath), as in order to give solemnity or force to a declaration, promise, etc.

6. to bind by an oath.

   to swear someone to secrecy.

noun

1. Informal.,  a profane or obscene word; curse word.

   If we said a swear, Mom made us put a quarter in the jar.

   Heads-up—this movie trailer is full of swears and is NSFW.

verb phrase

1. swear by

   1. to name (a sacred being or thing) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing.

   2. Informal.,  to have great confidence in; rely on.

      He swears by his dentist.

   3. to have certain knowledge of.

      I thought I saw him leaving, but I couldn't swear by it.

2. swear off,  to promise or resolve to give up something.

   I've decided to swear off the internet one day a week.

   Have you sworn off red meat?

3. swear in,  to admit to office or service by administering an oath.

   A new president will be sworn in today.

4. swear out,  to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.

swear

/ swɛə /

verb

1. to declare or affirm (a statement) as true, esp by invoking a deity, etc, as witness

2. (foll by by)

   1. to invoke (a deity, etc) by name as a witness or guarantee to an oath

   2. to trust implicitly; have complete confidence (in)

3. to curse, blaspheme, or use swearwords

4. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to promise solemnly on oath; vow

5. (tr) to assert or affirm with great emphasis or earnestness

6. (intr) to give evidence or make any statement or solemn declaration on oath

7. to take an oath in order to add force or solemnity to (a statement or declaration)

8. informal,  to assert emphatically

noun

1. a period of swearing

Other Word Forms

• swearer noun
• swearingly adverb
• reswear verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of swear¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English sweren, Old English swerian; cognate with German schwören, Old Norse sverja; akin to Gothic swaran “to swear”; answer

Word History and Origins

Origin of swear¹

Old English swerian; related to Old Norse sverja, Gothic swaran, Old Frisian swera, German schwören

Synonym Study

See curse.

Example Sentences

She’s a hugger and a high-fiver; she laughs easily and swears up a storm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I swear I see a little drool come out of Woo’s mouth.

Read more on Literature

“Man of the law . . . met in Brighton . . . are you Judge Quinzy? Yes, of course you are! Forgive me, your honor! I meant no insult, I swear!”

Read more on Literature

“He said he’s sworn to secrecy. The only person he’ll talk to about it is Admiral Ashton himself. That’s who made him swear.”

Read more on Literature

A frightened pig was also a fair guess, yet Penelope could swear the sound was coming from the treetops, which ruled out pigs completely.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• affirm 
• assert 
• depose 
• testify 
• vow