swear — to use offensive language; to make a solemn promise
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to use offensive language; to make a solemn promise
Pronunciation (IPA): /swer/
Example Sentences
- My mom made me swear not to tell dad about the broken vase.
- I swear this traffic light has been red for 10 minutes!
- The new president will swear in next Monday.
swear
VERB[/swer/]
to use offensive language; to make a solemn promise
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Swear originates from Old English 'swerian', meaning 'to swear an oath' or 'to take an oath'. Over time, the sense expanded as invoking divine names in oaths came to be viewed as profane, leading to the secondary meaning 'to curse or use profanity'.
Breakdown
Old English 'swerian' (to swear an oath) developed into Middle English 'sweren', then modern English 'swear'. The root carries the original sense of a solemn promise or oath-taking, with the profanity sense emerging from the religious taboo against misusing sacred names.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom made me swear not to tell dad about the broken vase.”
“I swear this traffic light has been red for 10 minutes!”
“The new president will swear in next Monday.”
“He swears he saw a UFO in his backyard.”
📚Related Words
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