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promise

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To promise is to give your word about something or guarantee that you will do whatever you are saying you will do.

(verb)

An example of promise is when you say to your friend "I swear I will be there."

The definition of a promise is a statement given by someone that he will do as he said, or it can refer to a person's potential.

(noun)

An example of a promise is when someone has sworn to meet you at one.
An example of promise is a child prodigy who will probably do great things.

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See promise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an oral or written agreement to do or not to do something; vow
indication, as of a successful prospect or future; basis for expectation
something promised

Origin: ME promis < L promissum < promittere, to send before or forward < pro-, forth + mittere, to send: see pro- & mission

intransitive verb promised, promising

to make a promise
to give a basis for expectation: often with well or fair

transitive verb

to make a promise of (something) to somebody
to engage or pledge: followed by an infinitive or a clause: to promise to go
to give a basis for expecting
Informal to declare emphatically; assure
Archaic to pledge to give in marriage

Related Forms:

promiser noun

See promise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.
b. Something promised.
Indication of something favorable to come; expectation: a promise of spring in the air.
Indication of future excellence or success: a player of great promise.

verb prom·ised, prom·is·ing, prom·is·es

verb, transitive

To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge: left but promised to return.
To afford a basis for expecting: thunderclouds that promise rain.

verb, intransitive

To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.
To afford a basis for expectation: an enterprise that promises well.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English promis

Origin: , from Old French promise

Origin: , from Medieval Latin prōmissa

Origin: , alteration of Latin prōmissum

Origin: , from neuter past participle of prōmittere, to send forth, promise

Origin: : prō-, forth; see pro-¹

Origin: + mittere, to send

.

Related Forms:

promˈis·er noun

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