swear

swear

verb swore swore (swôr, swōr), sworn sworn (swôrn, swōrn), swearing swear·ing, swears verb, intransitive

1. 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.
2. To make a solemn promise; vow.
3. To use profane oaths; curse.
4. Law To give evidence or testimony under oath.

verb, transitive

1. To declare or affirm solemnly by invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing.
2. To promise or pledge with a solemn oath; vow: He swore his oath of allegiance to the queen. See Synonyms at promise.
3. To utter or bind oneself to (an oath).
4. Law To administer a legal oath to: All the witnesses have been sworn.
5. To say or affirm earnestly and with great conviction.

nounPhrasal 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 Informal To pledge to renounce or give up: She has sworn off cigarettes. swear out Law To obtain (a warrant for arrest) by making a charge under oath.

Origin: Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; see swer- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

• swearer swearˈer noun