noun
surety
SHAW-rih-tee
Surety (noun) means a guarantee or promise, especially one to cover someone else's debt or obligation if they fail to pay it. Example: “His uncle acted as surety for the loan when the bank asked for a guarantor.”
noun
1
A guarantee or promise, especially one to cover someone else's debt or obligation if they fail to pay it.
"His uncle acted as surety for the loan when the bank asked for a guarantor."
"The court released him on the surety of a family friend."
2
A person who takes on legal responsibility for another person's debt or duty.
"The landlord asked for a surety in case the tenant missed a payment."
How to use surety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA guarantee, or someone who backs a promise with their own money or word.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "surety" (a guarantee/guarantor) with "security" (safety, or collateral) — they share a root but are used differently today.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
stand surety for
a surety bond
act as surety
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Word forms
- Plural
- sureties
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His uncle acted as _____ for the loan when the bank asked for a guarantor.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman seurté, ultimately from Latin securitas ("security") — a doublet of the word "security" itself.
Related words
Rhymes for surety
See all rhymes for surety →Frequently asked questions
What does “surety” mean?
The word “surety” means a guarantee or promise, especially one to cover someone else's debt or obligation if they fail to pay it. In plain terms, a guarantee, or someone who backs a promise with their own money or word.
How do you pronounce “surety”?
“Surety” is pronounced SHAW-rih-tee (/ˈʃʊɹəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “surety” in a sentence?
Here is “surety” used in a sentence: “His uncle acted as surety for the loan when the bank asked for a guarantor.”
What part of speech is “surety”?
“Surety” is a noun.
Where does the word “surety” come from?
The word “surety” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman seurté, ultimately from Latin securitas ("security") — a doublet of the word "security" itself.
How many meanings does “surety” have?
“Surety” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a guarantee or promise, especially one to cover someone else's debt or obligation if they fail to pay it.
