Finesentence

Swear Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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swear

swear

🇺🇸 /ˈswɛɹ/ · 🇬🇧 /swˈeə/

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

informal

To make a solemn declaration or affirmation with a promise or threat.

Synonyms

pledge, promise, vow.

Examples of usage

  • I swear I didn't do it.
  • She swore revenge on her enemies.
Context #2 | Noun

slang

A rude or offensive term, typically involving profane language.

Synonyms

cursing, obscenity, profanity.

Examples of usage

  • He was shocked by the amount of swearing in the movie.
  • She couldn't stand his constant swearing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “swear”

Swear is a 1-syllable verb and noun. It is pronounced /ˈswɛɹ/ in American English and /swˈeə/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #6,898 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'swear'

The word 'swear' has origins in Old English and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'swaran'. It has evolved over time to encompass both the act of making a promise or threat, as well as using profane language. Swearing has been a common form of expression throughout history, often used to convey strong emotions or emphasize a point.

Rhymes

Swear rhymes with err, faire, fer, gare, guerre, herr, lehr and mer.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,898 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.