Definitions for promiseˈprɒm ɪs
This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word promise
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
prom•iseˈprɒm ɪs(n.; v.)-ised, -is•ing.
(n.)a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc:
He kept his promise to write regularly.
indication of future excellence or achievement:
a writer who shows promise.
something that is promised.
(v.t.)to pledge or undertake by promise (usu. with an infinitive or a clause as object):
She promised to visit us.
to make a promise of (some specified act, gift, etc.):
to promise help.
to afford ground for expecting:
The sky promises a storm.
to engage to join in marriage.
to assure (used in emphatic declarations):
I won't go there again, I promise you!
(v.i.)to make a promise.
to afford ground for expectation (often fol. by well or fair).
Origin of promise:
1375–1425; late ME promis(se) < ML prōmissa, for L prōmissum, n. use of neut. ptp. of prōmittere to send forth, promise =prō-pro -1+mittere to send
a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
grounds for feeling hopeful about the future
"there is little or no promise that he will recover"
make a promise or commitment
promise to undertake or give
"I promise you my best effort"
predict, foretell, prognosticate, call, forebode, anticipate, promise(verb)
make a prediction about; tell in advance
"Call the outcome of an election"
give grounds for expectations
"The new results were promising"; "The results promised fame and glory"
Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary
a statement that you will definitely do sth; = assurance
I made a promise, so I'll do it.
to not do what you said you would
He broke his promise to me.
to do what you said you would
He always keeps his promises.
potential to do well or be good in the future
As a boy he showed promise as a pianist.; full of promise
to say you will definitely do sth
I promise to help you later.; I promised her I would be there.; Promise me (that) you'll never leave me.
to show signs of becoming
This year's fair promises to be better than ever.
An oath or affirmation; a vow.
A transaction between two persons whereby the first person undertakes in the future to render some service or gift to the second person or devotes something valuable now and here to his use.
to commit to something or action; to make an oath; make a vow.
in general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act
an engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made
that which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise
bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised
to engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money
to afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain
to make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward
to give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration
to afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil
A promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun promise means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something. As a verb it means to commit oneself by a promise to do or give. It can also mean a capacity for good, similar to a value that is to be realized in the near future. In the law of contract, an exchange of promises is usually held to be legally enforceable, according to the Latin maxim pacta sunt servanda.
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'promise' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3847
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'promise' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4171
Rank popularity for the word 'promise' in Nouns Frequency: #1255
Rank popularity for the word 'promise' in Verbs Frequency: #321
Anagrams of promise
Translations for promise
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary
He made a promise; I'll go with you; – that's a promise!
- promessaPortuguese (BR)
- das VersprechenGerman
- प्रतिज्ञा, प्रतिश्रुति, वचनHindi
- løfte, tilsagnNorwegian
- söz, vaatTurkish
- 諾言，承諾的事物Chinese (Trad.)
- lời hứaVietnamese
- 诺言，承诺的事物Chinese (Simp.)
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