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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Swear Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：make a solemn promise (swear)

swear 🔊

/swɛər/

To make a serious promise or statement, often in a formal way like in court.

Person swearing a solemn promise in courtroom with hand raised

make a solemn promise 🔊

➕

/meɪk ə ˈsɒləm ˈprɒmɪs/

To make a formal, binding promise or statement, often invoking a sacred or legal authority, such as in a court of law or a wedding ceremony.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'swerian', meaning 'to take an oath', related to Gothic 'swaran' and German 'schwören'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'S' + 'wear' — you 'wear' your words with sincere emotion. Or: 'Swearing' sounds like 'swear-ring' — a ring of truth.

📖 Example

In the wedding ceremony, they swear to love each other forever. 🔊 In the wedding ceremony, they swear to love each other forever.

🔗 Collocations

swear an oath – to formally promise, often in a legal context

swear under oath – to promise to tell the truth in a court of law

swear allegiance – to promise loyalty to a country or group

🔄 Synonyms

vow (v.) – to make a solemn promise or pledge, often in a religious or personal context

pledge (v.) – to make a formal promise, often involving a commitment or donation

promise (v.) – to declare or assure that one will do something

🚫 Antonyms

deny (v.) – to refuse to admit the truth or existence of something

repudiate (v.) – to reject or disown a promise or obligation

🌱 Derivatives

swore (v.) – past tense of swear

sworn (adj.) – having taken an oath; confirmed or pledged

swearer (n.) – a person who swears

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Proto-Germanic *swarjaną, tied to legal oaths. In medieval England, swearing on the Bible was the most binding promise. Later, it also came to mean using profanity, influenced by the emotional intensity of making a vow.

Meaning 2：use rude words (swear)

swear 🔊

/swɛər/

To use rude or offensive words, often when angry or upset.

Frustrated person regretting after swearing rudely at home

use rude words 🔊

➕

/juːz ruːd wɜːdz/

To utter profane or obscene language, typically as an expression of strong emotion such as anger, frustration, or surprise.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

He accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer and couldn't help but swear quietly. 🔊 He accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer and couldn't help but swear quietly.

🔗 Collocations

swear at someone – to direct rude or offensive language toward a person

swear like a sailor – to habitually use extremely profane language

swear under one's breath – to mutter rude words quietly, often to avoid being heard

🔄 Synonyms

curse (v.) – to use offensive or profane words, often as an expression of anger

cuss (v.) – informal term for swearing, common in American English

blaspheme (v.) – to speak irreverently about sacred things, often a form of swearing

🚫 Antonyms

praise (v.) – to express warm approval or admiration

bless (v.) – to pronounce a blessing or invoke divine favor

🌱 Derivatives

swearword (n.) – a word considered offensive or profane

swearing (n.) – the act of using offensive language