guarantee
gar-uhn-TEE
Guarantee (noun) means a firm promise or assurance that something will happen or that a product will work as described. Example: “The washing machine comes with a two-year guarantee.”
noun
1
A firm promise or assurance that something will happen or that a product will work as described.
"The washing machine comes with a two-year guarantee."
"There's no guarantee the flight will leave on time."
"Hard work is no guarantee of success, but it certainly helps."
verb
1
To promise firmly that something will happen or be true.
"The company guarantees a full refund if you're not satisfied."
"I can't guarantee we'll finish by Friday, but we'll try."
"I guarantee you will love this soup if you like garlic."
How to use guarantee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA firm promise that something will definitely happen, or a written assurance backing up a product.
Common mistake
A "guarantee" is the promise itself; a "guarantor" is the person who backs it up.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
money-back guarantee
guarantee a result
no guarantee
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Word forms
- Plural
- guarantees
- Third person singular
- guarantees
- Past tense
- guaranteed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The washing machine comes with a two-year _____.
Etymology
From Old French guarantie, related to a Germanic root meaning "warrant" — a close cousin of "warranty."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for guarantee
See all rhymes for guarantee →Frequently asked questions
What does “guarantee” mean?
The word “guarantee” means a firm promise or assurance that something will happen or that a product will work as described. In plain terms, a firm promise that something will definitely happen, or a written assurance backing up a product.
How do you pronounce “guarantee”?
“Guarantee” is pronounced gar-uhn-TEE (/ˌɡæɹ.ənˈtiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “guarantee” in a sentence?
Here is “guarantee” used in a sentence: “The washing machine comes with a two-year guarantee.”
What is another word for “guarantee”?
Words with a similar meaning to “guarantee” include warranty, assure, warrant and vouch.
What part of speech is “guarantee”?
Depending on how it is used, “guarantee” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “guarantee” come from?
The word “guarantee” comes from Old French. From Old French guarantie, related to a Germanic root meaning "warrant" — a close cousin of "warranty.".
Is “guarantee” a common word?
“Guarantee” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “guarantee” have?
“Guarantee” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a firm promise or assurance that something will happen or that a product will work as described.
What is the difference between a guarantee and a warranty?
A guarantee is a firm promise that a product will work or a condition will be met, often offered free by the maker and sometimes spoken or implied. A warranty is a more formal, usually written assurance with specific terms, and may be included or bought separately. Warranties tend to be the legally detailed version.
What is the difference between a guarantee and a guarantor?
A guarantee is the promise or assurance itself. A guarantor is the person or organisation that gives or backs that promise — for example, someone who agrees to repay a loan if the borrower cannot. Put simply, the guarantor is the party who provides the guarantee.
Is a guarantee legally binding?
It can be. A guarantee that forms part of a contract or a sale is often legally enforceable, giving you rights if the promise is broken. Much depends on how it is worded and the consumer laws where you live. A vague spoken assurance is far harder to enforce than a written one.
What is an example of a guarantee?
A common example is a money-back guarantee, promising a refund if you are not satisfied. Others include a manufacturer's guarantee that a phone will be free of faults for a year, or a satisfaction guarantee on a service. Each is a firm assurance the customer can rely on.
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