surety
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.”
How to use surety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA guarantee, or someone who backs a promise with their own money or word.
Don't confuse "surety" (a guarantee/guarantor) with "security" (safety, or collateral) — they share a root but are used differently today.
Word forms
sureties plural
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.