swear

1 of 2

verb

ˈswer 

swore ˈswȯr  ; sworn ˈswȯrn  ; swearing

transitive verb

1

: to utter or take solemnly (an oath)

2

a

: to assert as true or promise under oath

a sworn affidavit

swore to uphold the Constitution

b

: to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly

swore he'd study harder next time

3

a

: to put to an oath : administer an oath to

b

: to bind by an oath

swore them to secrecy

4

obsolete : to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath

5

: to bring into a specified state by swearing

swore his life away

intransitive verb

1

: to take an oath

2

: to use profane or obscene language : curse

swearer noun

swear

2 of 2

noun

: oath, swear word

Phrases

swear by

: to place great confidence in

swears by his mechanic

swear for

: to give assurance for : guarantee

swear off

: to vow to abstain from : renounce

swear off smoking

Synonyms

Verb

• blaspheme
• curse
• cuss

Noun

• curse
• cuss
• cussword
• dirty word
• expletive
• four-letter word
• obscenity
• profanity
• swearword
• vulgarism

Examples of swear in a Sentence

Verb

He swore revenge on the killers.

I swear to God, I'll kill him if he comes back.

Don't swear in front of the children.

I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth.

Noun

I heard him say a swear.

can't you express your frustration without using swears?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Locals swear the salty fresh ocean air clears up their skin. —Anna Haines, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Jeremy swears the unwrapping ceremony gets shorter every year, but Wyatt disputes that characterization. —Nico Lang, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024

Noun

There’s a heavy focus on Asia’s first One&Only spa, featuring a green caviar body exfoliation and an Augustinus Bader facial celebs swear by. —Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024

Biggest takeaways from 'Hard Knocks' with Bears: An HBO show with no swears? —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; akin to Old High German swerien to swear and perhaps to Old Church Slavic svarŭ quarrel

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing swear

• I swear
• not swear to it
• swear blind
• swear in
• swear on one's mother's grave
• swear on the Bible
• swear out
• swear (someone) to secrecy
• swear (someone) to silence
• swear to secrecy
• swear up and down
• swear word
• you would swear

Kids Definition

swear

verb

ˈswa(ə)r,

ˈswe(ə)r

swore

ˈswō(ə)r,

ˈswȯ(ə)r

; sworn

ˈswō(ə)rn,

ˈswȯ(ə)rn

; swearing

1

: to make a statement or promise under oath

2

a

: to state as true under oath

a sworn statement

b

: to state or promise strongly or sincerely

I swear that I was there

3

a

: to give an oath to

the witness was sworn

b

: to bind by an oath

swore us to secrecy

4

: to take an oath

5

: to use bad or vulgar language

swearer noun

Legal Definition

swear

verb

swore; sworn; swearing

transitive verb

1

: to utter or take solemnly

swear an oath

2

a

: to assert as true or promise under oath

a sworn affidavit

b

: to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly

swore to uphold the constitution

3

a

: to put to an oath

b

: to bind by an oath

intransitive verb

: to take an oath

Etymology

Verb

Old English swerian