swear
(swâr)
[Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian.]
verb: swore (swôr, swōr), sworn (swôrn, swōrn), swear·ing, swears.
intransitive verb
- To make a solemn declaration, invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, in confirmation of and witness to the honesty or truth of such a declaration.
- To make a solemn promise; vow.
- To use profane oaths; curse.
- Law To give evidence or testimony under oath.
transitive verb
- To declare or affirm solemnly by invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing.
- To promise or pledge with a solemn oath; vow: He swore his oath of allegiance to the queen. See synonyms at promise
- To utter or bind oneself to (an oath).
- Law To administer a legal oath to: All the witnesses have been sworn.
- To say or affirm earnestly and with great conviction.
n.
- A swearword.
phrasal verbs
- swear at
- To use abusive, violent, or blasphemous language against; curse.
- swear by
- To have great reliance on or confidence in: He swears by his personal physician.
- To have reliable knowledge of; be sure of: I think she left early, but I couldn't swear by it.
- To take an oath by: He swore by all the angels and saints of heaven.
- swear in
- To administer a legal or official oath to: swear in a mayor.
- swear off
- To pledge to renounce or give up: She has sworn off cigarettes.
- swear out
- To obtain (a warrant for arrest) by making a charge under oath.
derivatives
- sweaŕer
- noun
