verb

swear

SWEH-uh

verb

To make a solemn promise or formal declaration, often under oath.

"The witness had to swear to tell the truth before testifying."

"I swear I'll pay you back by Friday."

To use rude, crude, or offensive language.

"He swore loudly after stubbing his toe."

"Try not to swear in front of the kids."

How to Use Swear

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo promise very seriously, or to curse using bad language — two very different senses of the same word.

Common mistake

Context tells the two meanings apart: "I swear it's true" (promising) versus "stop swearing" (cursing).

Common pairings

swear an oath swear to god swear at someone

Word Forms

swearer comparative, more swear comparative, swore past tense, sware past tense, sworn past tense, sweared past tense, swears plural, swears plural, swears singular, swears singular, swearest superlative, most swear superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The witness had to _____ to tell the truth before testifying.

Etymology

From Old English swerian, meaning "to take an oath," from a Proto-Germanic root related to speaking or declaring. The meaning shifted in Middle English to also cover cursing, partly because using strong language was seen as similar to swearing false or careless oaths.

Synonyms

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blaspheme curse curse like a pagan curse like a trooper curse like a sailor cuss eff and blind eff and jeff execrate imprecate swear like a cutter swear like a pagan

Antonyms

mind one's language

Related Words

bless curse blessing hate blaspheme menstruation cuss

Rhymes for swear

ear year dear hear tear bear wear near fear pear gear rear

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