English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj Common

sworn

swawn

Sworn (adj) means Made or declared formally under oath. Example: “She gave a sworn statement to the police.”

adj
1
Made or declared formally under oath.
"She gave a sworn statement to the police."
"He is a sworn witness in the upcoming trial."
2
Bound by a firm commitment, as if by an oath — often describing enemies or allies.
"The two rivals had been sworn enemies since childhood."

How to Use Sworn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFormally promised or declared, often under oath — or, informally, fiercely committed (as in "sworn enemies").

Common pairings
sworn statement sworn testimony sworn enemy sworn in
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “sworn” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She gave a _____ statement to the police.

Etymology

The past participle of swear, from Old English sworen.

Origin: Old English

avowed attested pledged confirmed devoted

Related Words

Rhymes for sworn

See all rhymes for sworn →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “sworn” mean?

The word “sworn” means made or declared formally under oath. In plain terms, formally promised or declared, often under oath — or, informally, fiercely committed (as in "sworn enemies").

How do you pronounce “sworn”?

“Sworn” is pronounced swawn (/swɔɹn/ in IPA).

How do you use “sworn” in a sentence?

Here is “sworn” used in a sentence: “She gave a sworn statement to the police.”

What part of speech is “sworn”?

“Sworn” is an adjective.

Where does the word “sworn” come from?

The word “sworn” comes from Old English. The past participle of swear, from Old English sworen.

Is “sworn” a common word?

“Sworn” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “sworn” have?

“Sworn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made or declared formally under oath.

What is the difference between sworn and swore?

Sworn is the past participle of the verb "swear," used with "have" or "be," as in "he has sworn an oath." Swore is the simple past tense, as in "she swore an oath yesterday."

What are sworn enemies?

Sworn enemies are people or groups bound in firm, lasting opposition to one another, as if by an oath. The word sworn here stresses how deep and committed the hostility is.

What is the difference between sworn and vowed?

Both involve a solemn promise. Sworn typically implies a formal declaration under oath, often legal or official, while vowed suggests a personal, heartfelt promise. A witness is sworn in, whereas a person vows to change.

What words commonly go with sworn?

Common collocations include "sworn statement," "sworn testimony," "sworn enemy," and "sworn in." The first two involve legal oaths, while "sworn in" refers to formally taking up an official role under oath.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial