promise
PRO-mihs
Promise (noun) means a firm statement that you will or will not do something. Example: “He kept his promise to call her every night while he was away.”
noun
1
A firm statement that you will or will not do something.
"He kept his promise to call her every night while he was away."
"Breaking a promise to a child can damage their trust for a long time."
"I made a promise to my grandmother that I would visit her every week."
2
A sign of future success or good quality.
"The young player showed real promise in his first professional season."
"Her first short story showed great promise, and the teacher encouraged her to keep writing."
"The new restaurant has plenty of promise, though it needs a better menu."
verb
1
To commit to doing (or not doing) something.
"She promised to finish the report by Friday."
"I promise I won't tell anyone about the surprise party."
"The company promised to refund customers who were unhappy with the service."
2
To give a strong indication of something good or likely to happen.
"The dark clouds promised a heavy storm by nightfall."
"The bright morning sky promised a warm and sunny afternoon."
"This early result promises well for the rest of the experiment."
How to use promise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA firm commitment to do something, or a sign that good things are coming.
Common pairings
keep a promise
break a promise
show promise
promise to do something
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Word forms
- Plural
- promises
- Third person singular
- promises
- Past tense
- promised
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He kept his _____ to call her every night while he was away.
Etymology
From Old French promesse, from Latin prōmissum, from prōmittō ("to send forth, to say beforehand"), from pro- ("forth") plus mittere ("to send") — the same root behind mission, admit, and permit.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for promise
See all rhymes for promise →Frequently asked questions
What does “promise” mean?
The word “promise” means a firm statement that you will or will not do something. In plain terms, a firm commitment to do something, or a sign that good things are coming.
How do you pronounce “promise”?
“Promise” is pronounced PRO-mihs (/ˈpɹɑmɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “promise” in a sentence?
Here is “promise” used in a sentence: “He kept his promise to call her every night while he was away.”
What is another word for “promise”?
Words with a similar meaning to “promise” include stipulate.
What part of speech is “promise”?
Depending on how it is used, “promise” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “promise” come from?
The word “promise” comes from Latin. From Old French promesse, from Latin prōmissum, from prōmittō ("to send forth, to say beforehand"), from pro- ("forth") plus mittere ("to send") — the same root behind mission, admit, and permit.
Is “promise” a common word?
“Promise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “promise” have?
“Promise” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a firm statement that you will or will not do something.
What is the difference between a promise and a vow?
Both are firm commitments, but a vow is more solemn and often ceremonial — wedding vows or a vow of silence carry ritual weight. A promise is an everyday assurance that you will or won't do something. Every vow is a kind of promise, but not every promise is a vow.
What is the difference between a promise and a guarantee?
A promise is a personal assurance that you will do something, resting on trust. A guarantee is stronger and often formal or legal — a pledge frequently backed by consequences, such as a refund or compensation if it isn't kept. A guarantee raises a promise to a binding commitment.
What is an example of a promise?
Simple examples include saying 'I promise I'll call you tomorrow,' pledging to repay a loan by a set date, or a parent promising a child a trip to the park. Each is a firm statement that the speaker will, or will not, do a particular thing.
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