vow

American  

[vou] / vaʊ /

noun

1. a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment.

   marriage vows; a vow of secrecy.

2. a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service, or condition.

3. a solemn or earnest declaration.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a vow of; promise by a vow, as to God or a saint.

   to vow a crusade or a pilgrimage.

2. to pledge or resolve solemnly to do, make, give, observe, etc..

   They vowed revenge.

3. to declare solemnly or earnestly; assert emphatically (often followed by a clause as object).

   She vowed that she would take the matter to court.

4. to dedicate or devote by a vow.

   to vow oneself to the service of God.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a vow.

2. to make a solemn or earnest declaration.

idioms

1. take vows, to enter a religious order or house.

vow British  

/ vaʊ /

noun

1. a solemn or earnest pledge or promise binding the person making it to perform a specified act or behave in a certain way

2. a solemn promise made to a deity or saint, by which the promiser pledges himself to some future act, course of action, or way of life

3. to enter a religious order and commit oneself to its rule of life by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, which may be taken for a limited period as simple vows or as a perpetual and still more solemn commitment as solemn vows

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verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to pledge, promise, or undertake solemnly

   he vowed that he would continue

   he vowed to return

2. (tr) to dedicate or consecrate to God, a deity, or a saint

3. (tr; usually takes a clause as object) to assert or swear emphatically

4. archaic (intr) to declare solemnly

Other Word Forms

• unvowed
  adjective
• vower
  noun
• vowless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of vow

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French vo ( u ) < Latin vōtum, neuter of vōtus, past participle of vovēre to vow

Explanation

To vow is to make an earnest promise or pledge. People getting married often vow to stick together “till death do us part,” while a presidential candidate might vow to lower taxes. You can use vow as both a noun and a verb: A vow is a solemn declaration; to vow is the act of making that promise. Vows are meant to be serious, sacred things, even vows made with the best intentions can be broken. Wrote American short-story writer and poet Dorothy Parker, “By the time you swear you are his, shivering and sighing, And he vows his passion is infinite and undying—Lady, make a note of this: One of you is lying.”

Example Sentences

Craig Williams, who rode Vow And Declare to victory in 2019, will take the reins of joint-third favourite Buckaroo while Robbie Dolan, who won last year on rank outsider Knight's Choice, is on-board Royal Supremacy.

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

Unlike some cultivated meat firms, Vow is not trying to copy normal meats.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025

Vow to walk the length of the street in a day — or over several days, picking up where you left off.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2024

The text is drawn from the famous British hymn, “I Vow to Thee, My Country” and the fifth chapter of Galatians in the New Testament.

From Washington Times • Apr. 30, 2023

“Khalil opened the driver’s side door and—” Vow!

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• affirm
• assure
• declare
• promise
• swear