troth

1 of 2

noun

ˈträth How to pronounce troth (audio)
ˈtrȯth,
ˈtrōth How to pronounce troth (audio)
 or with  t͟h
1
: loyal or pledged faithfulness : fidelity
pledged my troth
2
: one's pledged word
I don't remember the details or, by my troth, even the gistStanley Elkin
also : betrothal

troth

2 of 2

verb

trothed; trothing; troths

Examples of troth in a Sentence

Noun by my troth, I will not trespass on your precious property solemnly announced their troth before the church's congregation Verb I troth myself eternally to your service.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Not for months, but for years, plighting their troth. Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Their actual exchange of troth must happen in glances, and then, ruinously, they are understood in a different way, when they’re seen by a girl on the hill. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2023 But these and more than 100 other representatives elected to pledge their troth to a man over the ideals of this nation. Star Tribune, 11 Dec. 2020 After all, every suitor pledging troth is a struggling actor. Armond White, National Review, 28 Feb. 2020 Every-where, love tokens are as traditional as plighting your troth, or just expressing an interest. A.a. Gill, A-LIST, 4 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English trouth, from Old English trēowth — more at truth

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of troth was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near troth

Cite this Entry

“Troth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troth. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

troth

1 of 2 noun
ˈträth How to pronounce troth (audio) ˈtrȯth How to pronounce troth (audio)
ˈtrōth,
 or with  t͟h
1
2
: one's pledged word
also : betrothal

troth

2 of 2 verb

More from Merriam-Webster on troth

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!